As part of an Israel-Africa conference in Paris last week, a video was broadcast in which Foreign Minister Yair Lapid declared: "Israel is returning to Africa." The declaration is reminiscent of previous statements by Benjamin Netanyahu, who used the same phrase several times in the past.
Relations between Israel and Africa have seen ups and downs. After a significant Israeli presence in Africa in the 1950s and 1960s, most countries in the region severed ties with Israel following the Yom Kippur War, which led to a certain political standstill for many years. In the last decade, Israel has significantly tightened its relations with various countries in Africa. Gaining observer status in the African Union in 2021, following some 20 years of diplomatic efforts, was a political victory for Israel, symbolizing the improvement of its status on the continent.
Many economic actors in Africa are interested in Israeli technologies, including in the fields of agriculture, water, and energy. The growing wave of terrorism that threatens the stability of various regimes in the region is also creating interest on the continent for Israeli security knowledge. While Africa has become a battleground between powers, Israel is seen as a less threatening partner because of its relatively small size.
For Israel, Africa constitutes an area with many opportunities. In the economic realm, the continent is a growing market that could be an important destination for Israeli exports. Africa is also a critical point in the international trade routes used by the Israeli economy. Tightening ties with many African countries can help Jerusalem's diplomatic struggles with various international organizations.
Improving Israel's status in Africa also corresponds to other diplomatic moves, especially the Abraham Accords. Under those agreements, Jerusalem has normalized its relations with Sudan and Morocco, which contributed significantly to the resumption of contacts with the African Union. Relations with Rabat can help Israel establish its place on the continent, and political and economic relations with African countries can serve as a subject of cooperation with Morocco; as such, the two steps can strengthen each other.
There is still a long way to go to realize Israel's potential in Africa. The continent constitutes only a very small part of Israeli trade. In addition, there are important African countries, such as Algeria and South Africa, that oppose closer ties with Israel. Beyond these two examples, there remains sensitivity to the Palestinian issue in many countries, especially in Muslim states, which may delay positive developments, particularly in the event of an escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But the efforts of recent years to strengthen relations between Israel and Africa, a continent that will occupy an increasingly significant place on the global scales, are a move that can contribute much to Israel.
ByGSpeech
As part of an Israel-Africa conference in Paris last week, a video was broadcast in which Foreign Minister Yair Lapid declared: "Israel is returning to Africa." The declaration is reminiscent of previous statements by Benjamin Netanyahu, who used the same phrase several times in the past.
Relations between Israel and Africa have seen ups and downs. After a significant Israeli presence in Africa in the 1950s and 1960s, most countries in the region severed ties with Israel following the Yom Kippur War, which led to a certain political standstill for many years. In the last decade, Israel has significantly tightened its relations with various countries in Africa. Gaining observer status in the African Union in 2021, following some 20 years of diplomatic efforts, was a political victory for Israel, symbolizing the improvement of its status on the continent.
Many economic actors in Africa are interested in Israeli technologies, including in the fields of agriculture, water, and energy. The growing wave of terrorism that threatens the stability of various regimes in the region is also creating interest on the continent for Israeli security knowledge. While Africa has become a battleground between powers, Israel is seen as a less threatening partner because of its relatively small size.
For Israel, Africa constitutes an area with many opportunities. In the economic realm, the continent is a growing market that could be an important destination for Israeli exports. Africa is also a critical point in the international trade routes used by the Israeli economy. Tightening ties with many African countries can help Jerusalem's diplomatic struggles with various international organizations.
Improving Israel's status in Africa also corresponds to other diplomatic moves, especially the Abraham Accords. Under those agreements, Jerusalem has normalized its relations with Sudan and Morocco, which contributed significantly to the resumption of contacts with the African Union. Relations with Rabat can help Israel establish its place on the continent, and political and economic relations with African countries can serve as a subject of cooperation with Morocco; as such, the two steps can strengthen each other.
There is still a long way to go to realize Israel's potential in Africa. The continent constitutes only a very small part of Israeli trade. In addition, there are important African countries, such as Algeria and South Africa, that oppose closer ties with Israel. Beyond these two examples, there remains sensitivity to the Palestinian issue in many countries, especially in Muslim states, which may delay positive developments, particularly in the event of an escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But the efforts of recent years to strengthen relations between Israel and Africa, a continent that will occupy an increasingly significant place on the global scales, are a move that can contribute much to Israel.