Israel has relations with 46 member states of the African Union.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Israel would rejoin the African Union as an observer state.
The move, according to online newspaper, The Times of Israel, comes nearly two decades after Israel lost observer status following the dissolution of the Organization for African Unity and the creation of the African Union.
It was reported that Israel’s ambassador to Addis Ababa, Aleli Adamaso, presented his credentials as an observer to the African Union to Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat at the organization’s headquarters in Addis Ababa. two sides.
“It is a day of celebration for Israel-African relations,” Israeli media quoted Foreign Minister Yair Lapid as saying.
He added: “This diplomatic achievement is the result of the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the African Department (in) and the Israeli embassies on the continent.”
He added: “It corrects the discrepancy that has existed for nearly two decades, and is an important part in strengthening the fabric of Israel’s foreign relations.”
It was pointed out that long-term efforts to join the African Union, made up of 55 members, are aimed at improving relations with the countries of the continent.
photo released, Getty Images
“It is a day of celebration for Israel-African relations,” Israeli media quoted Foreign Minister Yair Lapid as saying.
Among other issues, Israel targets countries’ voting records on Israeli issues in international organizations such as the United Nations Security Council.
It is also expected to coordinate on issues such as the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, terrorism and agriculture.
Israeli websites said the government recently resumed ties with Chad and Guinea after cutting its ties, and Israel also signed normalization agreements with Sudan and Morocco in 2020.
Israel has been granted official observer status in the African Union, a goal the country’s diplomats have been working toward for nearly two decades, officials said on Thursday.
Lapid’s statement said Israel currently maintains ties with 46 African countries and has “widespread partnerships and joint cooperation in many different areas, including trade and aid.”
The Palestinian Authority already has observer status in the African Union, and Israeli diplomats have lamented the African Union’s recent statements on the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
photo released, AFP
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on a visit to Uganda as part of a mission to strengthen ties with Africa
Last May, EU Commission chief Musa Faki Mohamed condemned Israel’s “bombing” on the Gaza Strip, as well as “violent attacks” by Israeli security forces at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, saying the Israeli military was acting. “In open violation of international law.”
Faki also took the opportunity of holding an African Union summit in 2020 to condemn former US President Donald Trump’s plans for peace in the Middle East, where he was met with applause in the main hall when he said it was “on the rights of Trapped “Palestinian people.”
In his statement on Thursday, Faki stressed that the African Union was “very clear about its position that a two-state solution to the issue of Palestine and Israel is necessary for peaceful coexistence.”
Amateur web specialist. General food junkie. Typical zombie enthusiast. Avid music trailblazer. Lifelong explorer.
