Why Kosovo’s Alignment with US Policy Drives Its Controversial Steps Toward Israel

Kosovo, a small majority-Muslim country in the Balkans, has signed up to United States President Donald Trump’s controversial Board of Peace and the planned International Stabilization Force for Gaza, following approval from Israel. The proposed force is theoretically intended to maintain security, support demilitarisation, and train Palestinian police, although its mandate and composition remain unclear. For Kosovo, this decision carries deep resonance, as its statehood and security rely heavily on international support, NATO protection, and the right of a population under pressure from a stronger neighbour to determine its own future. By joining a Gaza framework whose legitimacy is contested by Palestinian actors and legal experts, and where Israel maintains decisive influence, Pristina is navigating a complex diplomatic path.

Historically, Kosovo was an autonomous province within Serbia in the former Yugoslavia until Slobodan Milosevic revoked much of its self-government in 1989. The subsequent repression and political marginalisation of Kosovo Albanians led directly to the 1998-99 war, triggered by a rebellion from the Kosovo Liberation Army against Serbian and Yugoslav forces. The resulting crackdown involved widespread killings, expulsions, and mass displacement, claiming the lives of over 10,000 Kosovo Albanian civilians. The Hague tribunal subsequently convicted senior Serbian and Yugoslav officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Following NATO’s 78-day air campaign in 1999, Serbian and Yugoslav forces withdrew, paving the way for the arrival of NATO’s KFOR force, which remains Kosovo's primary external security guarantor.

Nexhmedin Spahiu, a university professor and political analyst in Pristina, explains that Kosovo's approach to Israel stems from a perceived obligation to Washington and the pro-Israel lobby in the US. Pointing to NATO and US intervention, Kosovo’s international recognition, and ongoing assistance, Spahiu notes that the influence of the lobby drives this sentiment. "People in Kosovo feel they have a moral debt … and that is the reason for Kosovo’s approach to Israel," he stated, adding that US backing and NATO deterrence remain vital while Serbia continues to withhold recognition and regional tensions persist.

Bilateral relations with Israel developed firmly within this US-centred framework. Under the Washington agreement of September 2020, Kosovo committed to establishing an embassy in Jerusalem. Israel formally recognised Kosovo in February 2021, and Pristina opened its embassy the following month, making it the first majority-Muslim country to take that step. Donika Emini, a research fellow at the University of Graz’s Centre for Southeast European Studies, described the recognition as a major diplomatic achievement that helped Pristina counter arguments from states with territorial disputes. Artan Muhaxhiri, another Kosovo political analyst, characterises this dynamic as "proxy politics," where the relationship is dictated by Pristina's ties with the US rather than independent bilateral policies.

Transitioning from a security consumer to a provider, Pristina views its prospective role in Gaza as a chance to reciprocate international assistance received since 1999, as noted by Prime Minister Albin Kurti in March. Emini points out that while Kosovo has long sought to contribute to global security, its lack of UN membership limits its options, making US-led initiatives a valuable avenue for international visibility. However, analysts caution that the political and security realities in Gaza differ drastically from Kosovo's context, meaning the involvement will likely yield symbolic rather than military significance.

Finally, an unresolved contradiction remains within Kosovo's national narrative, which is rooted in international protection against state violence and the right to self-determination. Despite Israel facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice and arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Emini observes that Pristina's calculus prioritises alignment with the United States and strategic national interests over legal reconciliation regarding the situation in Gaza.