Israel is an essential ally to Africa - opinion

• Author: ROWAN POLOVIN
• Published date: 12 October 2021
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The modern state of Israel is the only nation in history that has delivered people of Africa from slavery to freedom. This stands in contrast to so many others who have cruelly exploited the African people, plundered their land and resources and, in some cases, still do today.

When Israel was revived as a modern Jewish state in 1948, it did not forget this shared history. In the 1950s, then-Foreign Minister Golda Meir wanted Israel – a fledgling state less than a decade old – to offer African countries a helping hand as they discarded the shackles of colonialism. Theodor Herzl, the father of modern political Zionism, was deeply sympathetic to the plight of the African people and the need for Jews to help them once they themselves became liberated from persecution, and Meir was determined to bring his sentiment to fruition. She saw the compelling need for Israel to provide assistance to these newly independent nations even though the new Jewish state was struggling to help itself.

This commitment spanned from agriculture to infrastructure, and included building airports, setting up shipping operations and establishing educational and training institutions. Thousands of Israeli experts traversed Africa to offer knowledge, advice and assistance. Numerous African leaders traveled to Israel and saw innovation and the early cultural DNA of the budding start-up nation firsthand. Much of this infrastructure still operates today.

All in all – until 1973 – a total of 33 African countries received a hand up from Israel when it was most needed. The Arab League, extremely hostile toward a Jewish state in its midst, pressured the Organization of African Unity (the precursor of the African Union) to sabotage and cut off ties with Israel on the pretext that Israel had "occupied" African land in the Suez Canal. While this decision disappointed Israel, it was absolutely devastating for the African continent in multiple ways. Africa could have had a different economy today had it developed alongside Israel, educating, liberating and feeding its own people and the rest of the world, had it not succumbed to this political pressure.

IN THE past few years, Israel and Africa have been coming closer again, due to new visionary and pragmatic leadership in Africa, the demise of ideologues, and renewed efforts by Israel to rekindle the connection. In the past year, Israel has made peace with the North African countries of Morocco and Sudan, which until recently were longstanding foes...