On 20 January 2019, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, travelled to Nyamena with a view to re-establishing diplomatic relations between Chad and his country. ‎

Chad’s President, Idriss Deby, visited Israel on 25 November. Deby congratulated Netanyahu on this step, although he made it clear that this did not change his support for the Palestinians. ‎

Almost all countries of Africa and the Middle East cut off diplomatic relations with Israel at the end of the war of October 1973 – the so called “War of Yom Kipur”. However, in light of the Israeli aggression against Lebanon in 2006 and against Syria in 2011, Israel is unfolding a diplomatic offensive in the Persian Gulf and Africa. ‎

This Israeli diplomatic offensive is counting on NATO support, whilst Russia is making great strides in Libya, Sudan and Chad. ‎

The next African country to re-establish diplomatic relations with Israel will probably be Mali, today governed by President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.‎

Translation
Anoosha Boralessa