Taliban, 20 Years of Hostility; US "Welcomes" ... Israel "Will Not Establish Relations"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] The Taliban, which has taken control of Afghanistan, expressed willingness to restore relations with the international community including the United States, but drew a line by stating they will not establish relations with Israel.

Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shahin said on the 7th (local time) to Russia's Sputnik News, "We will maintain dialogue channels with all neighboring countries, but we will not establish any relations with Israel."

Spokesperson Shahin emphasized, "We want relations with regional and neighboring countries, including Asian countries, but Israel is excluded from that target."

He also stressed the desire to restore relations with the United States, with which they had a hostile relationship for 20 years. Spokesperson Shahin said, "If the United States wants to open a new chapter in relations with us regarding the understanding between the two countries and their peoples, and wishes to participate in Afghanistan's reconstruction, we welcome it."

Although he did not provide detailed explanations about the background of not wanting relations with Israel, it was interpreted as the Taliban, which advocates Islamic fundamentalist rule through Islamic law (Sharia), siding with Arab countries that are hostile to Israel, which promotes 'Jewish nationalism.'

Israel is militarily confronting Palestinian armed faction Hamas supported by Iran, Lebanese armed faction Hezbollah, Syria's Bashar al-Assad regime and pro-Iran armed forces, and Yemen's Houthi rebels.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.