Visiting Ethiopia, Herzog touts Israel’s ‘strong’ relationships across Africa

Amid push from Jerusalem to build ties on continent, president meets top officials, Jewish leaders in Addis Ababa; Israel accepts appointment of Somaliland’s first ambassador

President Isaac Herzog visited Ethiopia on Wednesday, where he met with top officials and touted Israel’s ties with the East African nation amid a push from Jerusalem to build and strengthen relationships with countries across the continent.

In Addis Ababa, Herzog told Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that some in Africa and beyond are trying to undermine Israel’s relationships in Africa, “but our bond is strong, and our shared interests are stronger than any such attempt to undermine them.”

“Our drive to innovate, prosper and bring well-being to all is what drives us, and outweighs any attempt to cause division or obstruction,” says Herzog, according to his office. “I am glad that we have this opportunity to deepen the dialogue between us and strengthen the ties between our nations.”

Israel has been making a major push to expand ties on the continent, and Herzog has been a central but quiet player in that effort. In November, Herzog visited Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Earlier Wednesday, Herzog held meetings with Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie, as well as local Jewish leaders.

“This is my third visit to Africa, and the fourth African nation I have visited as president of the State of Israel,” he told Selassie, according to his office. “The relationship between our peoples is woven deep into the pages of history and human tradition.”

“At the heart of the story of both our nations lies a clear common thread — the ability to join hands, unite resources of spirit and substance, to innovate, develop and grow for the benefit of all,” he said.

Herzog added that “the social fabric of Israel has been deeply enriched by Ethiopian heritage, brought by the Ethiopian Jewish communities in Israel, and as president of the State of Israel, I wish to express my deep appreciation for these cherished communities.”

Israel is home to some 170,000 Ethiopian Jews, the majority of whom arrived, or are descendants of those who arrived, in two waves of mass immigration known as Operation Moses in 1984 and Operation Solomon in 1991.

Herzog is slated to fly back Wednesday night and return to Israel Thursday, where he is set to meet with visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Israel accepts appointment of first envoy from Somaliland

Meanwhile, Israel on Wednesday formally accepted the appointment of Somaliland’s first ambassador to Israel, Mohamed Hagi, according to a letter sent by the Foreign Ministry to the office of Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.

Hagi currently serves as an adviser to Abdullahi, and was an advocate for Israel-Somaliland relations, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Israel will appoint an ambassador to the African country soon, the ministry said.

Israel’s international development agency MASHAV is holding a course for officials from Somaliland’s Water Authority in Israel this week.

Israel in December became the only country in the world to recognize Somaliland’s independence — something the territory has been seeking since declaring its autonomy from Somalia in 1991. The government in Mogadishu still considers Somaliland an integral part of Somalia even though the territory has run its own affairs since 1991, with its own passport, currency, army and police forces.