Israel’s Warming Global Relationships

August 31, 2017

In Africa

PM Netanyahu’s purpose in pursuing African relations is to “Dissolve this majority, this giant bloc of 54 African countries that is the basis of the automatic majority against Israel in the UN and international bodies.”

—PM Netanyahu speaking with press before leaving for ECOWAS summit in Liberia

 

“I believe in Africa, I believe in its potential—present and future. It is a continent on the rise. I have made strengthening our relations one of our top priorities—national and international priorities of the State of Israel. Africa and Israel share a natural affinity. We have, in many ways, similar histories. Your nations toiled under foreign rule. You experienced horrific wars and slaughters. And you’re still fighting to get out of the past into the future, valiantly, in efforts that I deeply admire. With determination and conviction, you won your independence. You healed the wounds of the past to chart a future of hope for your people.”

—PM Netanyahu, the first non-African leader to address ECOWAS

 

“I will talk with him [Togolese president] about the Africa–Israel conference that Togo is due to host in about two months. This will be my third visit to Africa in a little over a year: First East Africa, then West Africa and now an economic-technological conference for the countries of Africa, with a clear goal—to bring Israel back to Africa in a big way.

 “Various pressures have been placed on the Togolese president to cancel the conference. These pressures are the best testimony to the success of our policy, of Israel’s presence in Africa.”

—PM Netanyahu at weekly Security Cabinet meeting prior to visit of Togolese president

 

“I dream of Israel’s return to Africa and Africa’s return to Israel.”

—Togo President Faure Gnassingbe, at Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem

 

“Well, we’re very happy to see a great friend of Israel, a great personal friend, President Paul Kagame from Rwanda. I think Israel is very fortunate to have him as a friend, I think Rwanda is very fortunate to have him as their leader. Welcome, friend.”

—PM Netanyahu welcoming the Rwandan president to Israel

 

“To be here it’s like coming home. We are happy to be received by excellent friends with whom we have links of years and do many things together that have meaning to peoples on both sides. So, I’m just happy to be here.”

—President Paul Kagame, Rwanda, during a recent visit to Israel

In Eastern Europe

“Georgia is eager to expand bilateral relations with this remarkable country…In this regard, the year 2017 is of special significance as we celebrate 25 years of establishing diplomatic relations with Israel. But our relations go deeply to centuries, and we are proud of this very special friendship between our peoples…we are very supportive to your people and your country in your fight for procuring long term stability for your people.”

—Georgian Prime Minister Kvirikashvili, speaking during a visit with PM Netanyahu

 

“We should reiterate our acknowledgement towards Israel for what it does for the security of Europe. In the future, we shall promote that the cooperation between the European Union and Israel become better…If Europe does not cooperate with Israel, it is punishing itself, which is pointless. Therefore, we shall propose in the upcoming period that the Israeli-EU cooperation should return to the field of common sense.”

—Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, speaking at the Visegrad Group Summit

 

“I’m honored to be the first Israeli Prime Minister to be invited to a Visegrad Summit, and I want to thank the prime ministers of Hungary, of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia…I believe that we stand together as five democracies that are facing great opportunities and great challenge. The great challenge that faces all of us is the threat posed by the rise of militant Islam and the sparks of terror that it sends flying throughout the Middle East and sweeping into Europe, Africa and elsewhere—Asia. Israel serves a unique function at being the one Western country in the region, the one country that is able to limit and fight from the region, within the region, this great danger to all of us.”

—PM Netanyahu addressing the Visegrad Group Summit

In Asia

“My friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, welcome to Israel. Prime Minister, we’ve been waiting for you a long time. We’ve been waiting almost 70 years in fact because yours is truly a historic visit. It’s the first time an Indian Prime Minister is visiting Israel. We receive you with open arms. We love India. We admire your culture; we admire your history, your democracy, your commitment to progress. We view you as kindred spirits in our common quest to provide a better future for our peoples and for our world.

 “Prime Minister, when I first met you at the United Nations three years ago, we agreed to break down the remaining walls between India and Israel. We shook each other’s hands and we agreed to forge a historic partnership for progress. We then met again in Paris and since then we’ve spoken many times on the phone. I remember my friend what you said in that first meeting. You said that when it comes to India-Israel’s relations, the sky is the limit.”

—PM Netanyahu, speaking upon the arrival of Indian PM Narendra Modi

“Israel is a real friend…I have really felt that feeling of kinship. I feel absolutely at home here.”

—PM Modi speaking at President Rivlin’s residence

Photo Credit: Narendra Modi/commmons.wikimedia.com