Israel’s new ambassador to Ethiopia, Avraham Neguise, has ambitious plans to deepen Israel-Africa relations through expanded diplomatic ties, increased economic cooperation, and securing Israel’s observer status within the African Union (AU).
Out of Africa’s 54 countries, 46 maintain formal diplomatic relations with Israel. Expanding that number is one of Neguise’s top priorities. Although his appointment was approved by the Israeli government in December 2023, bureaucratic delays in Ethiopia meant he did not arrive until September 2024. Reports suggest that some of these delays stemmed from Ethiopian concerns over Neguise’s past social media posts, which were seen as harmful to the country’s reputation. Despite these hurdles, he is expected to formally present his credentials by early October.
Neguise, a passionate advocate for African-Israel relations, founded the Africa-Israel Caucus during his time in the Knesset from 2015 to 2019. He also played a crucial role in advocating for Ethiopian aliyah, the immigration of Jews to Israel, most recently through “Operation Rock of Israel,” which brought over 3,100 Ethiopians to the country.
A Shared Vision for Africa and Israel
In an exclusive interview with The Media Line, Neguise expressed his belief in the mutual benefits that stronger Africa-Israel ties can bring. “Africa needs Israel, and Israel needs Africa,” he said. With Israel’s strengths in technology, agriculture, and cybersecurity, and Africa’s abundant natural resources and growing population, Neguise envisions a partnership that can tackle challenges like poverty and hunger.
Neguise’s efforts to strengthen Israel’s ties with Africa date back to his involvement in organizing the Africa-Israel Caucus, a move that preceded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s historic visits to several African nations, including Ethiopia, between 2016 and 2019.
Focus on African Union Relations
A key aspect of Neguise’s role in Ethiopia is ensuring that Israel maintains its observer status within the African Union. Israel originally enjoyed strong relations with African nations, but these ties were severely weakened in 1973 after many African countries cut diplomatic ties in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War and the oil crisis.
In 2021, Israel regained observer status within the AU, though efforts to revoke this status have been persistent. Neguise emphasized the importance of building strong diplomatic relationships with African ambassadors and leaders, highlighting how African nations’ support could help Israel in global arenas such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the United Nations.
“If African countries vote in our favor, this could be pivotal for Israel,” Neguise stated, referencing a December 2023 case brought by South Africa to the ICJ accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Despite this, Neguise noted that many African nations do not align with South Africa’s stance on Israel.
Economic and Technological Cooperation
One of Neguise’s primary goals is to expand economic partnerships, particularly in innovation and technology. He sees tremendous potential for collaboration in fields like agriculture, digital innovation, and education. Israel’s Mashav program, which trains African students in various fields in Israel, is one of the initiatives Neguise hopes to expand. Training the next generation of African leaders in these fields, he believes, will lay the foundation for stronger Africa-Israel ties in the future.
Neguise is also confident that Africa-Israel relations will be bolstered by tourism, with many Africans drawn to Israel’s religious sites. Currently, Ethiopian Airlines operates multiple daily flights to Tel Aviv, reflecting the growing connection between the two regions.
A Legacy of Ethiopian Aliyah
In addition to his diplomatic work, Neguise remains committed to supporting Ethiopian aliyah. Since the late 20th century, more than 150,000 Ethiopians have immigrated to Israel. While most eligible under the Law of Return have already arrived, there are still over 10,000 Ethiopians seeking aliyah. These individuals require special approval as they do not qualify under the Law of Return.
Neguise’s shift from advocating for aliyah to diplomacy represents the broadening of his vision—from reuniting Ethiopian families with their relatives in Israel to fostering stronger connections between Africa and Israel as a whole.
With a focus on economic cooperation, political alliances, and social ties, Ambassador Neguise’s approach to diplomacy could mark a new era in Africa-Israel relations.
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