Earlier this month, The Bukharian Times Editor-in-Chief traveled to Tashkent where he met with Israel’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Gideon Lustig.
Rafael Nektalov / Editor-in-Chief of The Bukharian Times
Diplomacy
Ambassador Lustig, who arrived in Tashkent in August 2024, brings a wealth of experience to this critical posting—from his work on regional security and counter-terrorism to senior diplomatic roles in Paris, The Hague, and San Francisco. Now serving as Israel’s envoy to both Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, he is working to strengthen bonds that stretch back millennia, rooted in the rich heritage of Bukharian Jewish communities that once flourished across the region.
In an exclusive interview, Ambassador Lustig discussed the surprising resilience of Israel-Uzbekistan relations following the October 7th attacks, the dramatic growth in bilateral trade, and his concerns about preserving the memory of Jewish-Muslim coexistence for future generations. He also shared insights on tourism trends, cultural initiatives, and the promise of deeper engagement with Tajikistan—all while reflecting on how Central Asia fits into the broader landscape of Israel’s diplomatic priorities.
Gideon Lustig, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to the Republic of Uzbekistan and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Tajikistan. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon
Rafael Nektalov: How are Israel-Uzbekistan relations today, and how have they been impacted by October 7th—in terms of trade, tourism, and diplomacy?
Ambassador Gideon Lustig: Israel-Uzbekistan relations have been always based on the value of friendship and on mutual respect. I always say that one of the benefits of being an Israeli Ambassador in Uzbekistan is the sense of familiarity you can find between the peoples.
Everywhere I go, I’m being welcomed in such warmth. People always tell me about their Jewish teacher, [doctor], or their close friend who lives in Israel. There is a true feeling of close understanding. After Hamas’ October 7th terrorist attack on Israel, many here showed their support and solidarity. This continues thought the war, even though I should mention that the anti-Israeli propaganda on social media, coming mainly form outside Uzbekistan, has unfortunately influenced some parts in the population.
Actually, if you look at the figures, we have seen a positive trajectory in our trade. Bilateral trade increased dramatically. In 2022, the volume of trade stood on around $25m, while last year it was around $55m. The number of tourists, which initially declined for obvious reasons, has sharply increased back.
All is in order with our diplomatic relations. Last year we have witnessed a historic visit by the chairperson of the Knesset to Uzbekistan as well as of the Minister of Tourism of Israel. I do think that now, with the ceasefire in place, it is time to resume also high-level visits from the Uzbek side to Israel as well.
R.N.: How would you describe Jewish life and demographics in Uzbekistan today? And how are Muslim-Jewish relations?
G.L.: It is no secret that the Jewish community in nowadays Uzbekistan is quite small. However, I’m always touched and inspired to see the continuation of Jewish life in a land which knows prosperous Jewish presence for more than 2,000 years.
During the year of my service as Ambassador, I’ve visited all the communities and synagogues in the country, and hosted different representatives at the embassy and home. It is important for me to enhance the brotherly bond between Israel and the local Jewish community. I’ve found fantastic, supportive and loving communities who embrace the connection with Israel and aspire to maintain and preserve the Jewish heritage of this country.
As far as I can tell, the local Muslim community holds great respect and appreciation towards the Jewish community and cherish their share history of neighborly relations. A recent study published by a research institute named IMPACT-se about [how] Israel and Jews [are represented] in Uzbekistan’s education system commends Uzbekistan’s curriculum for promoting interreligious tolerance and diversity.
Undoubtedly, there are also those who wish to disrupt this wonderful millennia-old of cultural co-existence, but thankfully, the Uzbek authorities are very mindful to this issue, and are acting upon any incident. At the embassy, we try to foster as much interfaith cooperation as we can, with different cultural exchange initiatives. Some of the Israeli art we would like to bring to Uzbekistan is rooted in that shared heritage of the [Bukharian Jewish] community.
I have to admit, though, that I’m a bit concerned about the future generations. You see, Uzbeks of my generation still remember that period of time in which many Jews lived here. People of the two religions shared common space, were friends and colleagues. They knew each other very well. This familiarity was part of their day-to-day life. Now, as we get to the end of this era, this collective memory will eventually fade away. In order to preserve the sense of this deep friendship, it is up to the two governments to make the efforts to introduce this familiarity to the generations to come through education and cultural exchange. This is part of the work of embassies as well.
R.N.: What kind of Jewish cultural or educational initiatives does the embassy support?
G.L.: Ohh, many! Of course, [at] the Embassy of Israel, our initiatives exemplify Israeli culture and art, and not specifically Jewish. Only this year, for example, we had an Israeli jazz concert in Tashkent, an art exhibition, and some exchanges between museums and cultural institutions. We encourage the study of Hebrew and Jewish culture. We also supported a one-of-a-kind conference on the history of the Bukharian Jewish community held in Samarkand earlier this year, organized by Bar-Ilan University and other Israeli academic institutes, in cooperation with the University of Samarkand. We are currently trying to foster a program aimed to study and research of the Jewish history in Uzbekistan and neighboring countries. It’s not final, but I’m hoping to be able to see this initiative becoming a reality.
R.N.: Regarding tourism, how many Israelis are visiting Uzbekistan, and vice versa? And what steps are being taken to encourage more bilateral travel?
G.L.: There is defiantly an increase in the number of Israeli tourists visiting Uzbekistan. In 2024 there were around 11,000 Israeli tourists in total, while in the first six months of 2025 only, the number was more than 7,000. Hence, we are anticipating around 15,000 Israeli tourist for the entire year.
The Israeli tourist is looking to explore new destinations, and Central Asia, and mainly Uzbekistan, spark many people’s interests. The connectivity between the countries is in its peak with three airlines operating direct lines from Tashkent and Samarkand to Tel Aviv. Sadly, we have yet to see a parallel increase of Uzbek tourists visiting Israel. Medical tourism takes an important share, but the numbers are not high enough.
Recently, the Israeli Minister of Tourism visited Dushanbe and Tashkent. The meetings were very productive, and if only part of the things discussed are to be implemented – then the tourists exchange between the countries will defiantly increase. I also think that flight costs should be cheaper. I’m hopeful an Israeli air company will start flying to Uzbekistan, which might help this happen.
R.N.: You, Mr. Ambassador, are also Israel’s Ambassador to Tajikistan. What would you like to say about this aspect of your work?
G.L.: Well, Tajikistan is an entirely different country! It’s a beautiful, fascinating place, where, I find, there is a genuine will to enhance the cooperation with Israel. There, too, I found a lot of appreciation to the Jewish history in the country, and to the contribution of Jews to the development of the Tajik nation and its culture. I try to visit Tajikistan as often as I can. I take my assignment there very seriously, and I always feel very welcomed.
Recently, Israel and Tajikistan signed an agreement in the field of tourism. This happened during the visit of the Israeli minister of Tourism in Dushanbe – the first visit ever of an Israeli minister in Tajikistan. If you ask me, there is plenty of things Israel and Tajikistan can achieve together, and I’m positive we are on the right track.
I should mention, however, that currently there is no Tajik Ambassador accredited to Israel. I believe that if one will be nominated, it will send us the right signal, and personally, I will have another partner with whom to push things forward more quickly.
R.N.: The United States has long been Israel’s closest ally. How do you view the evolving U.S.–Israel relationship today under President Trump’s leadership?
G.L.: That’s a big question, one that should be directed to the Ambassador of Israel in Washington, DC. I will say, though, that the close strategic relationship between Israel and the US are also evident in Central Asia. The recent announcement by the president of Kazakhstan, at the White House, that it will soon join the “Abraham Accords” is the most dramatic example. I was encouraged to hear that more countries are expected to follow. America stands at Israel’s sides in so many instances, and we do what we can from our side as well. There is no bigger friend to Israel than the US.