Israel is currently the only country to formally recognize Somaliland.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Rabbi Yosef Garmon wasn’t even sure he would be allowed to arrive in Somaliland—and was even warned in other countries to take off his skullcap—but when he reached Hargeisa, the rabbi was greeted by crowds yelling “Am Yisrael Chai,” or “The Jewish People Lives.”

Once the chief rabbi of Guatemala, Garmon traveled to Somaliland with the Humanitarian Coalition and arrived on Tuesday, after deciding to make the trip following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland—the only country to do so.

The country broke off from Somalia in 1991 by a unilateral declaration of statehood that is not recognized by Somalia or any other nation. Twenty-one Muslim countries, along with the European Union, criticized Israel for its move to recognize Somaliland, believing the decision would inflame tensions with Somalia.

However, the crowds who gathered to welcome Garmon in Somaliland thanked him for Israel’s diplomatic decision. They saw his skullcap and recognized him as a Jew.

Garmon, who regularly delivers humanitarian aid throughout Latin America and Africa, told Ynet, “Everywhere, people are excited that I’m Israeli. In the immigration office, an Israeli flag was flying. They took us to buy a SIM card and handed out water.”

Although the trip was rewarding, it almost didn’t seem possible, as his plans to travel to Somaliland were repeatedly frustrated.

He was told he was not allowed to enter Somaliland without a Somali visa, even though Israelis are permitted to enter the country without needing papers from Somalia.

Most airlines refused to take him, and Garmon tried to travel through Dubai and Addis Ababa—both places refused.

Finally, he found a way to reach his destination through the Ethiopian city of Jijiga, near the Somaliland border. “There they allowed us to cross into Somaliland, but warned me to remove my skullcap,” he said.

However, not only did Garmon not need to remove his skullcap, but he was welcomed by the people of Somaliland.

“People wave to us,” he told Ynet. “The admiration comes from the fact that Israel recognized Somaliland. It’s simply moving to see people who view Israel as their hope.”

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21 Muslim countries and the EU protested Israel’s decision to be the sole nation to recognize Somaliland as an independent state.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Masses of people demonstrated in towns across Somalia over the weekend after Israel announced it now regards Somaliland as an independent state, drawing sharp criticism from political and religious figures.

In Mogadishu, thousands of demonstrators poured into the streets before converging at a stadium, carrying Somali and Palestinian flags and holding signs condemning Israel’s decision. Chants and speeches focused on Somalia’s territorial integrity and opposition to any foreign recognition of Somaliland, the self-declared republic in the country’s northwest.

“We will never allow anyone to violate our sovereignty,” protester Adan Muhidin told AFP during the Mogadishu rally, calling Israel’s recognition of Somaliland “a blatant violation of international law.”

Israel said Friday that it considers Somaliland an “independent and sovereign state.” The territory broke away from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government but has not been formally recognized by any other country. Somalia’s federal authorities continue to view Somaliland as an integral part of the state.

A total of 21 Muslim countries and the European Union protested Israel’s decision to be the sole nation to recognize Somaliland as an independent state, and the UN Security Council held a meeting on Monday to discuss the issue, not least because a Somali diplomat is soon to assume the presidency of the council.

“There is nothing we have in common with Israel. We say to the people of Somaliland, don’t bring them close to you,” Sheikh Ahmed Moalim said at one of the gatherings.

While Somalia remains deeply divided and plagued by instability, Somaliland has for more than three decades maintained its own governing institutions, including a separate currency, passport system, and security forces. The territory has held multiple elections and is often cited by regional observers as a rare example of relative stability and democratic practice in the Horn of Africa.

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Isaac Herzog’s stop in Zambia marked the first visit ever by an Israeli president to the southern African nation.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli President Isaac Herzog was warmly welcomed by the leaders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia this week, marking a whirlwind visit to central Africa aimed at strengthening Jerusalem’s ties with the continent.

Herzog landed in Zambia on Monday, the first-ever visit by an Israeli president to the southern African nation, where he was greeted on the tarmac by traditional dancers before meeting with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.

During their meeting, Herzog emphasized that “there is nothing [Israel] wants more than peace with our Palestinian neighbors,” according to a summary of his remarks published by his office.

In a post on his official X account, Herzog thanked Zambia for its “deep friendship and their solidarity with the people of Israel.”

He added that Israel and Zambia share a strong and friendly relationship “reflected in cooperation across many fields including innovation, science, health, food security, and water management, as well as tourism, investments, and advancing potential trade.”

On Tuesday, Herzog met with President Félix Tshisekedi at the Congolese presidential palace, where he also met with other senior diplomats.

In remarks released by his office, Herzog noted that his father, Chaim Herzog — who also served as president of Israel — made a historic visit to Congo some 40 years ago.

Herzog reiterated that Jerusalem remains committed to maintaining and expanding its ties with African nations, even as some countries, including South Africa, have expressed growing hostility toward the Jewish state.

“Africa has been so important to the Jewish people for generations, and there is no reason for African nations to push us aside,” Herzog said, expressing Israel’s “deep gratitude” for Congo’s support within the African Union.

“There are also other major humanitarian crises in Africa, such as in Sudan,” he added, “and I hope that the eyes of the world will turn there, rather than focusing obsessively on Israel.”

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“Africa is blossoming, and so is the potential for relations between Israel and countries on the continent,” said Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. The presidents of Zambia and Israel will meet in Jerusalem Tuesday morning.

By TPS 

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen met in Jerusalem on Monday with his Zambian counterpart Stanley Kakubo, with the two signing several cooperation agreements.

“Africa is blossoming, and so is the potential for relations between Israel and countries on the continent,” said Cohen, adding: “Zambia is an important nation for Israel in Africa, which is interested in strengthening relations with us.”

The top diplomats signed agreements to strengthen ties in the spheres of medicine, communications, agriculture and culture.

Last week, Cohen and his counterpart from the Ivory Coast, Kandia Camara, signed framework deals in the fields of agriculture, water and technology.

Cohen led a business delegation to the Israel-Ivory Coast Economic Forum in the West African nation.

The prior day, Cohen met with Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey in Accra, in a bid to strengthen Israel’s position within the African Union.

Earlier this month, Cohen met with a senior official of an African Muslim country with no diplomatic ties to the Jewish state.

The development occurred in the context of Israel’s push to expand the Abraham Accords and counter Iranian influence in Africa.

The meeting took place during a 10-hour visit to the Kenyan capital of Nairobi at the invitation of the African nation’s president, William Ruto, and foreign minister, Alfred Mutua. While there, the top Israeli diplomat attended the African Union’s Mid-Year Coordination Meeting.

President Isaac Herzog will host the President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, who is making a state visit to Israel, it was announced late Monday. Hichilema will be received in an official ceremony Tuesday, during which the national anthems of both nations will be played and the presidents will together review a guard of honour. The presidents will then hold a diplomatic meeting.

World Israel News contributed to this report.

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Israel is blaming South Africa and Algeria for the incident, Reuters reports.

By World Israel News Staff

The Israeli delegation at the African Union’s annual summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was expelled Saturday, Reuters and Walla reported.

Sharon Bar-li, deputy director for Africa at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, headed the delegation, which was participating as an observer.

תקרית דיפלומטית חמורה: חברי משלחת ישראל גורשו מאולם ועידת האיחוד האפריקני | צפו@BarakRavid pic.twitter.com/uNiffXhugf

— וואלה! (@WallaNews) February 18, 2023

“Israel takes the incident in which the Deputy Director for Africa Ambassador Sharon Bar-li was removed from the African Union Hall despite her status as an accredited observer with access badges very seriously,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Hair, according to Walla.

“It is sad to see that the African Union has been taken hostage by a small number of extremist countries such as Algeria and South Africa, driven by hatred and controlled by Iran. We call on African countries to stand against these actions that harm the organization of the African Union itself and the entire continent.”

Ebba Kalondo, the spokesperson for the African Union’s commission chairman, said Bar-li was removed because she was not the duly accredited Israeli ambassador to Ethiopia, Reuters reported.

Israel disagreed, saying it was done at the request of South Africa and Algeria, two countries that are hostile to the Jewish state.

“We call on the countries of Africa to stand up against these actions that harm the organization of the African Union itself and the entire continent,” the Israeli foreign ministry stated.

“Until the AU takes a decision on whether to grant Israel observer status, you cannot have the country sitting and observing,” Clayson Monyela, head of public diplomacy in South Africa’s department of international relations, told Reuters.

“So, it’s not about South Africa or Algeria, it’s an issue of principle,” he added.

The Algerian delegation was not immediately available for comment to Reuters.

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“Another feather in the cap of this new government just one month in:” Asher Fredman, director for Israel at the Abraham Accords Peace Institute, discusses the news that Israel and Sudan will sign a peace agreement and what relations with Israel would do to help the people of Sudan.

“Today’s visit to Sudan lays the foundations for a historic peace agreement with a strategic Arab and Muslim country,” Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen stated upon landing at Ben Gurion Airport, adding that the deal should be signed by year’s end.

“The peace agreement between Israel and Sudan will promote regional stability and contribute to the national security of the State of Israel,” he said.

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This important development is mostly the product of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “Israel is returning to Africa” policy and his historic visit to East Africa in July 2016.

By Aryeh Savir, TPS

For the first time since 2002, Israel has rejoined the African Union, a significant diplomatic achievement.

Aleligne Admasu, Israeli Ambassador to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, submitted his charter as an observer to the African Union on Thursday.

The African Union, “for an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa,” is the largest and most important organization in the African continent and its members are all the 55 countries of the African continent.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid stated that “this is a holiday for Israel-Africa relations. It will help us strengthen our activities vis-à-vis the continent and vis-à-vis the member states of the organization.”

Israel has relations with 46 countries in Africa, in the framework of which many and varied collaborations are conducted in the fields of development, trade and aid.

MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, runs programs in several African countries.

In recent years, Israel has renewed its diplomatic ties with Chad and Guinea. Sudan, which joined the Abraham Accords a few months ago, also announced the normalization of relations with Israel.

Once the relationship with the African Union is established, the parties will be able to cooperate in the areas of the fight against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the prevention of the spread of terrorism throughout the continent.

This important development is mostly the product of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “Israel is returning to Africa” policy and his historic visit to East Africa in July 2016, during which he visited Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

Weeks later, the Republic of Guinea, a Muslim-majority African nation, restored diplomatic ties with Israel after a 49-year break.

In the following August, Senegal and Guinea, two Muslim-majority West African nations, sent their first-ever ambassadors to Israel.

Netanyahu has made strengthening Israel’s relationship with African nations a major priority. He has stated on several occasions that “Israel is coming back to Africa, and Africa is coming back to Israel. It’s happening now because it’s so clear that this is good for Africa and it’s good for Israel.”

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A better cocoa bean? Israel launches accelerator to give Ghana’s farming startups a high-tech boost.

By The Algemeiner

Before he became the poultry king of Ghana, Kwabena Darko was a young student in central Israel.

Hailing from a small village in Ghana’s southern Ashanti region, Darko won a scholarship in the late 1950s to study poultry science and agriculture at the Ruppin Institute, near the Israeli city of Netanya. By 1967, he had returned to his home country and left his family pasture to start Darko Farms, which has since grown to become a chicken-producing empire and one of the largest agricultural businesses in Ghana.

Fledgling Ghanaian entrepreneurs inspired by Darko’s journey will now have their own chance to learn from Israel’s world-renowned agriculture expertise, and use it to improve the local production of cocoa, yams or other key crops. At least five local agri-tech startups will be chosen to participate in the Israel-Ghana AgriTechAccel — a six-week week virtual program starting on October 11.

“A lot of Ghanaians were sent to Israel, came back and became preachers for Israeli agriculture. One of them is now a millionaire. They know that Israel is very big on agriculture and technology,” Shani Cooper, Israel’s outgoing ambassador to Ghana, told The Algemeiner after having recently ended her 5-year tenure. “They adore Israel also because of the religious, biblical-oriented education. I can drive on the road in Ghana and I can see people selling Israeli flags together with US flags.”

The pilot accelerator program — managed by the Israeli Embassy in Ghana, the Pears Program for Global Innovation in Israel and Innohub Limited — seeks to help promising Ghanaian startups bring their ideas to the next level with the help of Israeli tech experts, and to support Ghana’s desire to expand productivity in the agricultural sector.

“These will be agricultural startups that already have a prototype, a solution at hand; they tried it out and now it is time to upgrade it. The idea is that startups and farmers will gain,” said Cooper. “The Israeli experts will mentor the startups on technology rather than how to do business in their own country.”

Nelson Amo, CEO of Innohub, said that the accelerator seeks to help participating agri-tech startups refine their products by improving their software or hardware solutions.

“Only once the startups are selected we can build up profiles to understand their needs. Our Israeli partners will then look for the Israeli experts who are able to provide the guidance and coaching for their needs,” Amo told The Algemeiner. “This is the first accelerator focused on product innovation targeted to refine software or hardware solutions rather than helping startups with their business model.”

Addressing Ghanaian challenges

According to Cooper, agricultural startups in Ghana face two main challenges: one, the difficulty in product commercialization, especially to international markets; and second, the gap facing tech businesses whose products are not yet as technologically advanced as they need to be.

The latter need, Cooper said, is not being answered by anyone today, and it’s where the Israel program hopes to make a difference.

A typical example might be Ghanaian startup with a solution on irrigation that is currently too basic to be used for the whole of West Africa. An Israeli water engineer with an understanding of the innovation ecosystem could then help such a company further develop its project.

“We are opening this accelerator in order to take already matured agri-tech startups with a product and elevate or upgrade its technological level for it to be really able to compete in the international arena, or even in West Africa,” Cooper said.

The mission feels natural to the 43-year-old diplomat, who was born to a farmer’s family in Israel which still today grows eggplants and dates.

“My father is the first generation of farmers and I think probably will be the only one in our family — while Ghana has decades or centuries of agricultural tradition,” said Cooper. “Ghana is very rich with water. Their soil is very fertile, you just throw a seed, and it blooms with anything.”

In recent years, however, the population in Ghana is rising while the food is not, as desertification and climate change have added more challenges.

“You see that at the end of the day, Ghana finds itself importing food and agricultural products, like tomatoes, rice, potatoes, and so on,” said Cooper.

Israel, on the other hand, is not a seemingly natural place for agriculture, with a great deal of arid or semi-arid land and poor soil. But the Jewish state has famously undergone an agricultural transformation to achieve national food security and build a thriving export industry.

“In Israel we started way, way earlier than Ghana because we had the need. When we speak in Israel of agriculture or traditional Israeli agriculture, this is already high-tech agriculture in Ghana. The gaps are so big that things we have long forgotten, they are trying to apply right now,” Cooper said.

One of the challenges faced by farmers in Ghana is to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, Cooper added.

“In Ghana, you can buy a cucumber or avocado and within a day you will not be able to use it. You buy tomatoes, which are almost rotten because in these two or three days that they were waiting to get to the market they didn’t survive. There is a need for economically viable storage solutions that farmers can pay for,” Cooper said.

Another issue is poor road quality in some areas of the country, which makes it difficult to transport fruits from western agricultural areas to major cities elsewhere. Better capabilities are also needed to learn how to boost productivity, and how to use seeds more efficiently.

“Ghana is the number one cocoa producer in Africa, and cocoa has a lot of uses. Not only for chocolate. The cocoa plantations in Ghana suffer from a pretty bad virus from the trees,” said Cooper. “How do you solve this? The most basic thing is irrigation that will fit into the economical capability of the farmer and will not use a lot of electricity, because there is no electricity in these places and will give a good substitute for rain in the dry season.”

Israeli mentoring

The second ambition of the Israeli Ghanaian accelerator is for Israeli startups or companies to visit Ghana next year to be mentored by their counterparts.

“They will learn from Ghanaian companies and mentors. This will not be on technology; this will be on the market, marketing in Ghana, and will involve meetings with agricultural companies and big farming companies,” Cooper explained.

She noted that Nestle West Africa, which is based in Ghana, has already expressed interest — offering the prospect of a boost for Israeli companies seeking to sell to the multinational conglomerate, alongside local growers.

“The project will give them a foot in the door to the market in West Africa, beginning from Ghana, and will allow them really to develop solutions to West African challenges,” Cooper said.

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Malawi foreign minister Eisenhower Mkaka says Abraham Accords have a positive effect on Israel’s relations with Africa.

By Paul Shindman, World Israel News

Malawi’s foreign minister confirmed Tuesday that his country will become the first African nation to open an embassy in Jerusalem.

Foreign Minister Eisenhower Mkaka gave his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi a message from Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera according to which Malawi intends to open a permanent embassy in Israel and establish it in Jerusalem by the summer of 2021.

At a press conference following their meeting, Mkaka told reporters that Israel and Malawi have “shared values of prosperity and peace,” noting that although Malawi only now decided to establish its first embassy in Israel, the countries having had diplomatic relations since 1964.

Chakwera announced the embassy decision in September.

“Malawi will be the first African country to establish its embassy in Jerusalem. This is further testament to the expansion of the circle of peace and recognition of Israel and its capital Jerusalem,” Ashkenazi said.

“I call on other countries to follow Malawi’s example and transfer their embassies to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel,” he said.

For its part, a Foreign Ministry statement said Israel will increase bilateral cooperation in the fields of agriculture, tourism, investment technology, education and trade.

Mkaka said the Abraham Accords that Israel recently signed with the UAE and Bahrain would “have an effect on Israel’s relations on countries in Africa.”

Chakwera, a Christian with a PhD in theology, became president in June. Christians make up over three quarters of Malawi’s 21 million people. Chakwera visited Israel in November 2019, posting pictures of himself on social media in Jerusalem’s Old City during his private trip and saying he “spent some time praying for our beautiful country.”

Questioned in Malawi’s parliament last month by an opposition member about why Malawi should open an embassy in Israel despite a UN resolution that urges its members to avoid recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Chakwera, according to The Times of Malawi, replied that he “conducts foreign policy for the primary benefit of the nation and its citizens.”

“Israel is among our strongest partners, having established our diplomatic relations in 1964,” Chakwera said. “The idea of re-energizing the existing relations with Israel and establishing residential diplomatic missions should not be regarded as something new in our foreign policy.”

The Times report said Chakwera also told parliament that “Malawi is a sovereign state in a global village and…the decision on whom the country is associated with are matters of national interest.”

The landlocked nation in the southern half of the continent is one of the world’s poorest, with a per capita earning hovering around only $1,000 per year.

Israel is currently home to 89 foreign embassies, but only the U.S. and Guatemala have located their embassies in Israel’s capital, with the remainder being in Tel Aviv.

Although Serbia and Kosovo also had announced their intention to establish embassies in Jerusalem, the UAE and Bahrain are not expected to join them and will most likely put their new embassies in Tel Aviv.

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“Looking forward to continue advancing with your government this important goal and our relations,” said Oded Joseph, Israel’s ambassador to Malawi.

By Josh Plank, World Israel News

Lazarus Chakwera, president of the southeastern African country of Malawi, announced his plan to open an embassy in Jerusalem during a State of the Nation address to the Malawian parliament on September 4.

“My administration recognizes that foreign relations have a significant role to play in promoting the socioeconomic development and growth of Malawi,” Chakwera said.

“Our focus on the world stage will be reforming the foreign affairs ministry headquarters and its missions abroad so that our embassies are able to deliver on the ambitious objectives of promoting Malawi’s national interests globally,” he said.

“The reforms will also include a review of our diplomatic presence, including our resolve to have new diplomatic missions in Lagos, Nigeria and Jerusalem, Israel. I will be sharing more details about this in the near future,” Chakwera said.

The announcement was met with applause by the Malawian parliament.

Chakwera, a Christian with a PhD in theology, became president in June. He visited Israel in November 2019.

Christians make up over three quarters of Malawi’s population according to a 2018 census.

Pastor Zacc Kawalala responded to his president’s announcement on Facebook, saying, “New Diplomatic Mission in Jerusalem, Israel!!! (Psalm 122:6) Dancing all the way.”

Malawi does not currently have an embassy in Israel, though the countries have had relations since 1964.

Israel’s non-resident ambassador to Malawi, Oded Joseph, is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

“This is great news, President Lazarus Chakwera,” Joseph tweeted on September 6.

“Congrats on your first SONA [state of the nation address] 2020. Very excited that your resolve to open a mission in Jerusalem was part of it,” Joseph said. “Looking forward to continue advancing with your government this important goal and our relations.”

Last month, Joseph held separate meetings with Eisenhower Mkaka, Malawi’s minister of foreign affairs, and Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, Malawi’s health minister.

If Chakwera follows through on his plan, it would make Malawi the first African country to establish a diplomatic office in Jerusalem.

Israel is the home to 89 foreign embassies, but only the U.S. and Guatemala have located their embassies in Israel’s capital, with the remainder being in Tel Aviv.

On Friday, Serbia and Kosovo announced their intention to establish embassies in the Jerusalem as well, as part of a U.S.-brokered economic normalization agreement.

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Sudan is keen to escape the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism as it struggles to rebuild its economy following the popular uprising that toppled Omar al-Bashir last year.

By Associated Press

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he has met with Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the head of Sudan’s sovereign council, and that they have begun the process of normalization.

“We agreed to begin cooperation that will lead to normalization of relations between the two countries,” Netanyahu tweeted. “History!”

In recent years Netanyahu has pushed to improve ties with African countries that have long had cool relations with Israel over the conflict with the Palestinians. Sudan is keen to escape the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism as it struggles to rebuild its economy following the popular uprising that toppled Omar al-Bashir last year.

Netanyahu arrived in Uganda on Monday, saying his country is ”returning to Africa in a big way” and urging the East African country to open an embassy in Jerusalem.

Before departing Israel, Netanyahu spoke of “very important diplomatic, economic and security ties that will yet be told about.” He said that at the end of his visit to the East African nation he hopes to “have very good news” for Israel.

The Israeli leader was welcomed by Uganda’s prime minister at the international airport in Entebbe, where Netanyahu’s brother Yonatan was fatally struck by a bullet as he led Israeli commandos in a daring mission to rescue hijacked Israeli passengers in 1976. Israel’s success in the raid humiliated then-Ugandan President Idi Amin, under whose rule Israel closed its embassy in Uganda.

Netanyahu, who was accompanied by his wife Sara, held a meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and other officials. In a news conference later on Monday Netanyahu said he would open an embassy in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, if Museveni established one in Jerusalem. The Ugandan leader responded by saying his government is “studying” the matter.

Museveni has repeatedly said Uganda supports a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue. During Netanyahu’s trip to Uganda in 2016, Museveni urged both sides to live “side by side in two states … in peace and with recognized borders.”

Israel has long courted African support. In exchange for its expertise in security and other fields, Israel wants African states to side with it at the U.N. General Assembly, which overwhelmingly recognized Palestine as a non-member observer state in 2012.

Reports in Israel in recent years have suggested it might normalize diplomatic relations with several Muslim countries in Africa. Israel renewed diplomatic relations with Guinea in 2016. After Netanyahu visited Chad for a renewal of ties in 2019, it was reported that Israel was working to formalize ties with Sudan.

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The Israeli delegation was impressed by the desire of the Chadian government, and of the private sector, to cooperate with the Jewish state.

By World Israel News Staff

An Israeli government delegation visited the Republic of Chad during the first week of August at the initiative of the National Security Council. It will be noted that relations were resumed with Chad, which has a Muslim majority, this past January after an almost 50-year break, according to a spokesperson for the ministry of Economy and Industry.

Following the resumption of relations, Chad President Idriss Deby asked the Israeli government to send representatives to evaluate the advancement of bilateral economic cooperation and the transfer of information on – inter alia – agriculture, water management and education.

The delegation, led Dr. Itai Melchior, head of Israel’s Trade and Economic Office, met with ministers and directors of Chad’s ministries of Economy, Finance, Agriculture, Water, Energy, Mines, Communications, Education and Health. Meetings were also held with international officials, including representatives from the World Bank and the U.S. Embassy, in order to consider increased foreign investments in Chad.

Chad’s chamber of commerce invited the delegation to meet with leading local entrepreneurs in order to consider cooperation with the Israeli business sector. The government mining company briefed the delegation on the relevant economic potential of the north-central African country.

Most of Chad’s GDP stems from the export of petroleum and cattle. The country is interested in attracting foreign investments in the mining sector, which they believe to be of great potential, in upgrading local physical and social infrastructures and in diversifying the national economy.

It was agreed – inter alia – that senior Chadian officials, including the Minister of Agriculture and Mines, and from the business sector, would visit Israel.

Melchior noted that members of the Israeli delegation were impressed by the desire of the Chadian government, and of the private sector, to cooperate with Israel.

“After an intensive two days of meetings, I can say with certainty that there is definitely room for cooperation with both the government and the business sector. I assume that we will see Chadian visits to Israel soon in order to continue the dialogue,” he said.

According to Regional Cooperation Ministry Director-General Dr. Joseph Draznin, “The developing ties between Chad and Israel are part of the fabric of Israel’s relations with countries in the region. This fabric combines both bilateral and regional cooperation between Israel and African, Mediterranean and Persian Gulf countries in energy, water, agriculture and technology.”

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The history of the Jewish people and that of many African countries is more similar than different, with some striking parallels.

By Rolene Marks

In the fledgling days before the founding of the modern State of Israel, Jews fought to end the British mandate that effectively colonized their ancient land.

It was with philosophy that both the founder of modern Zionism, Theodore Herzl, and Israel’s first Prime Minister, Golda Meir, recognized that the Jewish state was the natural partner to help beleaguered African countries.

They recognized the shared desires of the African people as well as the Jews to live free in their homelands and respected the national liberation movements of the time, sensing a mutual desire to that of their own Zionist ideals. Zionism after all, is the national liberation movement of the Jewish people.

But today, much like in many other parts of the world, anti-Semitism is rearing its ugly head on the continent – a continent that has suffered more than its own share of discrimination and persecution.

From the north to the south

Many would be surprised to find out that there once were thriving Jewish communities in many countries across the continent, and while communities are sparse in sub-Saharan Africa, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt, they once flourished.

The Lemba of Southern Africa, the Igbo of Nigeria, Ethiopan Jews, the Abuyudaya of Uganda and the Sephardi and Ashkenazi of Europe, many of whom settled in Africa to escape persecution. And who can forget the Mizrahi Jews of Arab countries, who were forced to flee Islamic rulers?

Due to rising anti-Semitism and poverty, these communities barely exist anymore. Outside of South Africa, which has the largest community on the continent, there were Jews in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, Zaire (the Democratic Republic of Congo) and Zimbabwe. While many left for Israel, others left for Europe or elsewhere.

The continent’s massive poverty rates and political turmoil in the late 20th century led to some African national leaders blaming Jews for the problems of their countries, which they claimed “are operated by a conspiracy against the African race.” Anti-Semitism in Africa includes false rumors and allegations that the AIDS pandemic was bioengineered by either the U.S., the United Nations or “the Jews,” in a plot to exterminate millions of black Africans, and that the disease is a part of the “Jewish” or “white Europeans’ maneuvers against Africa” or a continuous practice of “racial genocide.”

African nations are prone to accept unreliable anti-Semitic reports and revisionist history that the slavery of black Africans in the new world was because of “Jewish merchants working for European colonial masters.” According to social scientists, these theories are appealing to some impoverished and downtrodden people without enough education to know the “Jewish conspiracy” myth is false and unprovable.

The South African story

In post-Apartheid South Africa, the Jewish community has not been spared. This is particularly troubling considering that the contribution made by the Jewish community during the Apartheid years was significant in the fight to end the racist regime. One famous example was that out of the 13 Rivonia trialists, 5 were Jewish.

Who can forget the inimitable Helen Suzman, the lone voice of opposition in parliament to the Apartheid government? Jewish and a woman to boot! Some of the greatest names to enter the pantheon of anti-Apartheid activists, be it through political, cultural, religious or civil action, include Johnny Clegg, Rabbi Isaacson, Joe Slovo, Arthur Chaskalson, Nadine Gordimer, Gill Marcus and Albie Sachs, to name but a few.

The founding fathers of the Rainbow Nation – Mandela, Sisulu and Thambo – were intimately involved with Jews, having worked alongside many throughout their legal careers. Mandela famously visited Israel with “his” Rabbi Cyril Harris and met with then Prime- Minister Shimon Peres. Mandela famously refers to Menachem Begin and the Irgun as the basis on which he hoped to model the armed wing of the ANC, Umkhonto we Sizwe. In his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, he says:

“I read The Revolt by Menachem Begin and was encouraged by the fact that the Israeli leader had led a guerrilla force in a country with neither mountains nor forests, a situation similar to our own.”

I think that these great stalwarts of human rights would be greatly hurt to witness the appalling invective levelled against South Africa’s Jewish community.

Good Jew, bad Jew

Manifesting more as anti-Zionism than traditional anti-Semitism (although the two cannot be separated), the clarion call seems to be “Jews are welcome, Zionists are not.” Or are they? Over the past few years, anti-Semitism is manifesting on the southern tip of the continent much like it is all over the world. Social media platforms have become new battlefields while threats of violence and subsequent incidents have increased.

There seems to be a division between who is termed a “good” or a “bad” Jew. Good Jews apparently are not Zionist and identify as Jewish by “cultural ties,” not those awful traditional, Israel-loving kind.

There have been atrocious incidents of anti-Semitism – ranging from the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement and their cries of “shoot the Jew” at a conference hosted by the South African Zionist Federation to the appalling tweets from populist Black Land First leader Andile Mngxitama – and a host of incidents and issues in between.

Many look to Europe or the U.S. as the barometer on how anti-Semitism manifests itself, but if we ignore the South African model, we do so at our peril. It would appear that when BDS and their supporters in South Africa sneeze, their global network catches a cold. This is not to say that anti-Semitism in South Africa is restricted to BDS and the far left,  but the far right, perhaps emboldened by the alarming rise of their counterparts in the U.S., are rearing their ugly, neo-Nazi heads as well.

The consequences of rising anti-Semitism in South Africa are worrying. This could mean the marginalizing of a minority group that has played a vital role not just in the fight against the injustice of the past, but in continuing to punch far above its size to help build a new country. It would also result in many of South Africa’s Jews leaving for safer pastures – and along with them, investment and employment opportunities for many of the country’s impoverished.

South Africans fought against Apartheid, and many paid a painful price. After the struggles of the country’s dark past, do we really want to see this vicious cycle of discrimination and racism rise again?

This feature was first published in Lay of the Land.

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According to Moroccan media, a visit by the Israeli prime minister may be in the works prior to elections in the Jewish state.

By: Benjamin Kerstein, The Algemeiner

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might visit Morocco in the spring, according to a local news outlet in the northwestern African nation.

The Hebrew news site Mako cited on Thursday a Le Desk report claiming that high-level contacts are already underway between Israel and Morocco, led by Meir Ben-Shabbat, the head of the Jewish state’s National Security Council, in collaboration with American diplomats.

The visit could occur just before the April 9 Knesset election and shortly after Pope Francis visits Morocco at the end of March.

A possible reason for Morocco’s sudden interest in closer ties with Israel is its need for American support regarding a disputed area of the Western Sahara.

The Moroccan government did not respond to the Le Desk report, and the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated that it did not comment on contacts with countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

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After meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President of Chad Idriss Deby declared his desire to reestablish relations with the Jewish state, following a decades-long break in diplomacy between the nations.

By Ilanit Chernick, TPS

In a historic visit to Israel, President of Chad Idriss Deby told reporters on Sunday during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he “wants to renew ties between the two countries, and that doing so would not eliminate the Palestinian problem.”

During the press conference Netanyahu said that he had spoken with Deby “about the changes that are taking place in the Arab world with regard to Israel, and this is reflected in the meeting with Sultan Qaboos [in Oman, Jordan], and there will be more visits to Arab countries soon.”

The Chadian president said that dialogue and communication “are the basis for everything.

“We need to put the differences and disagreements aside in order to talk for the good of the peoples,” he said, adding that Israel and Chad “have a common struggle in this century that is marred with terrorism

“Humanity must get rid of this thing, cooperation in this sense is a cure for this,” he said. “I am happy to be in your beautiful country on an official visit,” he said.

Netanyahu expounded on this saying that it was important to “give the peoples what they deserved; food, security, medicine…and technology.”

During the press conference, Deby also highlighted that despite “diplomatic relations being severed in the 1970s, it did not prevent good relations between us, which continued all the time.”

The Israeli prime minister also thanked Deby for “this important step.”

Later in the evening, Deby also met with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were severed in 1972. Chad is a Muslim-majority nation in north-central Africa, which at this stage, does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that “this is an historic visit, the first by President of Chad to Israel since the establishment of the state.

“The visit comes against the background of the manifold diplomatic efforts let by Prime Minister Netanyahu in recent years,” Prime Minister’s Office wrote.

Netanyahu added: “This is an additional diplomatic breakthrough . This is an historic and important visit that comes against the background of the efforts we have led. I welcome the President of Chad on his arrival in Israel.”

Netanyahu also told the Cabinet on Sunday that he had met Deby at the recent ceremony in Paris marking the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

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The Arabs are working to block Israel’s diplomatic advancement in several spheres. 

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News

The Arab league is working to block Israel’s bid for a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) seat in the 2019-2020 term.

An Arab League ministerial committee convened Monday to discuss a plan it has prepared for this purpose. The meeting, chaired by Iraq, was held at the level of permanent representatives.

Assistant Secretary General for Palestine, Saeed Abu Ali, said the committee evaluated what had been done to counter Israel’s efforts to obtain a non-permanent seat on the Security Council.

“The plan of action that was prepared by the committee during its previous meeting was circulated to Member States,” he said, according to the Palestinian WAFA news agency.

Abu Ali claimed Israel has ignored more than 80 UNSC resolutions on the Palestinian issue, and “therefore, a country that considers itself above the law cannot be rewarded with a membership in the Security Council.”

Israel, which is a member of the UNSC’s Western European and Others Group, is the only Middle East country that has never obtained a non-permanent seat on the UN body. Israel has been working to garner enough support to defeat either Germany or Belgium in a three-way race for two spots on the Security Council. The vote will take place in June.

In April 2017, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon wrote in a Politico op-ed, “Now, more than ever, it is time for Israel to take its place as a leader in the world’s premiere international organization. Our country is qualified, well equipped and well prepared for this important role.”

Arabs want to block Israel in Africa

Meanwhile, another Arab League ministerial committee approved on Monday an Arab action plan to “confront Israel’s schemes in Africa.”

Israel, over the past few years, has significantly boosted its ties with African states.

In the last 18 months, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been in Africa three times, most recently for a 12 hour visit in Kenya in December, during which he met presidents of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Togo, Botswana and Namibia, as well as the Ethiopian prime minister and other leaders.

In August, Senegal and Guinea, two Muslim-majority West African nations, sent their first-ever full-time ambassadors to Israel.

Israel has a long history of sharing its expertise with African countries, and Jerusalem hopes that stronger ties will lead to a shift in voting trends at the UN and other global forums, thus reversing what Netanyahu has labeled the “automatic majority against Israel.” The Arabs fear this development.

During its second meeting in Cairo held at the level of permanent representatives, the committee stressed the necessity to “speed up steps and coordinate actions with the Arab Parliament to counter Israel in Africa.”

The meeting was headed by Saudi Arabia and attended by the Palestinian Authority, Tunisia and Sudan as well as Ambassador Abu Ali.

The committee stressed the importance of convening at the ministerial level to discuss current developments, especially in light of reports that Zambia will host the 2018 African-Israel Summit.

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