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Chad Opens Embassy In Israel After Cutting Ties More Than 50 Years Ago

by Ron Cantor
written by Ron Cantor

On Tuesday, the president of Chad landed in Israel to open the African nation’s new embassy in Israel. The embassy joins those of dozens of other nations that have their diplomatic outposts situated just outside of Tel Aviv (only a handful of countries have their embassy in Jerusalem, the capital).

Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno met with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and David Barnea, the director of the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency. The Mossad have played an integral role in the normalization of diplomatic relations between Chad and Israel over the last several years.

“We are full of hope that other leaders in the Middle East and in Africa will take inspiration from this important agreement and will advance their relations with Israel,” said Barnea.

Under the influence of Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan dictator, neighboring Chad severed formal ties with the Jewish nation in 1972 (although informal channels remained open through the years). In 2019, Netanyahu and Itno’s father, the former president of Chad, re-opened formal diplomatic relations. Part of Netanyahu’s foreign policy strategy in recent years has been to re-establish and strengthen ties with Israel’s African neighbors.

“We see these relations as extremely important – with a great country at the heart of Africa,” Netanyahu said during his meeting with the Chadian president Wednesday. “These are relations that we want to upgrade to new levels, to new heights – and your visit here in Israel and the opening of the embassy are an expression of this.”

“We believe that our cooperation can help not only to advance our relations, but it is also part of Israel’s coming back to Africa and Africa coming back to Israel. We have common goals of security, prosperity, and stability,” Netanyahu emphasized.

“Chad and Israel are today at a decisive turning point in their relationship … renew(ing) ties after almost five decades,” President Déby said.  “This is a country laden with history and this is the civilization of all the monotheistic faiths.”

Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Chad and other African nations play a key role in combatting Hezbollah and the growing threat from Iran.

“I would like to congratulate the president of Chad for the important decision to open an embassy in the State of Israel. The dialogue we held today reflects the growing winds of change seen in the Abraham Accords and that are also blowing towards the African continent. I am confident that our developing ties will contribute to both nations and to the wider region,” Gallant said.

Last year, Israel and Chad signed a cooperative agreement on forestry and climate change. Israel also operates medical training and humanitarian programs in the African nation.

“We are strengthening our friendship and our common interests in pursuing peace, security, and prosperity. We had excellent discussions yesterday. I welcome you and I hope to see you again in Chad,” Netanyahu said at the official opening of the embassy on Thursday, calling it a “historic moment.”

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UK Prime Minster Tells Lapid United Kingdom Might Move Embassy To Jerusalem

by Ron Cantor
written by Ron Cantor

British Prime Minister Liz Truss told Israel’s Prime Minister Yair Lapid this week in a sideline meeting at the UN that she is considering the “current location of the British Embassy in Israel”—a nod to indicate she wants to move it to Jerusalem. As the UK Foreign Minister, Truss vowed to explore the idea of a move.

Prior to becoming prime minister, Truss told the Conservative Friends of Israel that she understood the “importance and sensitivity” of the location and vowed to move it to Israel’s capital.

If Truss makes good on her campaign promise, she will follow in the footsteps of the US, Guatemala, Kosovo, Honduras, and others who have already moved (or plan to) their diplomatic headquarters from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. In addition, the Dominican Republic, Suriname, Equatorial Guinea, Malawi, and Ecuador have all announced intentions to move their embassy or another prominent office to Jerusalem.

Even though Jerusalem has been Israel’s capital city since the 1967 war, Britain has maintained its embassy in Tel Aviv since the dissolution of the British Mandate of Palestine, right before Israel became a nation again.

Truss and Lapid also discussed how to stop the growing threat of a nuclear Iran and how to increase economic ties between Israel and the UK. Lapid offered his sympathies at the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

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First Israeli Ambassador To Turkey Since 2018 Takes Her Post

by Ron Cantor
written by Ron Cantor

According to an announcement made by the Israeli Foreign Ministry on Monday, Irit Lillian will serve as Israel’s new ambassador to Turkey. Lillian has been a senior diplomat—the charge d’affaires in Ankara since 2021—and has been instrumental in the process of reconciling the two nations, who have been at odds for the last decade.

Four years ago, in 2018, after years of fiery rhetoric and conflict (mostly over the tensions in Gaza), Turkey recalled its ambassador and kicked Israel out of the country.

For the last two years, diplomatic relations have been thawing, and earlier this year, Israel President Isaac Herzog was invited by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for an official visit. In August, the two countries announced they would restore full diplomatic ties.

“From the beginning, it was clear that we were building a process in which we agree to disagree,” Lillian said. “We are going into proper, positive bilateral relations that have a wide range of activities, but we know that there are points we don’t agree on. We know we are not going into a perfect marriage.”

Lillian previously served as Israel’s ambassador to Bulgaria and acting ambassador to Australia. Her appointment must now be officially approved by the government and Israel’s attorney general (a formality because of the government’s caretaker status right now).

Lillian’s appointment now awaits government approval and — because the country is being run by a caretaker government — a sign-off from Israel’s attorney general.

While in New York for the United Nations meeting this week, Israel Prime Minister Yair Lapid was scheduled to meet with Erdogan in a side meeting. Turkey has been increasingly economically isolated in the region, even as Israel and her other Arab neighbors have strengthened ties. It is thought that Erdogan hopes to boost his country’s economic outlook (the Turkish currency has taken a steep dive in recent years) by reconnecting with Israel. Erdogan is up for re-election next year.

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Liberia—A Key African Ally—Takes First Step To Open An Embassy In Jerusalem

by Ron Cantor
written by Ron Cantor

Liberia declared its intention to establish an official trade office in Jerusalem, which would eventually become the African country’s de-facto embassy in Israel. A delegation from Liberia led by its prime minister, Nathaniel McGill, made the announcement this week as they met with Israel President Isaac Herzog and Deputy Foreign Minister Idan Roll. Details of the location will be worked out in the coming weeks.

“It was a pleasure hosting a ministerial delegation from the Republic of Liberia headed by Minister of State McGill,” Roll tweeted. “I thanked the participants for Liberia’s support of Israel in the UN and for its decision to open an official office in Jerusalem, Israel’s capital.”

The Liberian delegation, which included their ministers of economy, information, trade, industry, and agriculture, attended meetings with the Israeli Defense Forces, in addition to the meeting with Herzog and Roll.

Liberia, a small West African nation of 5 million people, has been a vital ally for Israel in recent years, both in the United Nations and in the African Union. Liberia and Israel have a long history. It was one of the African nations to originally vote ‘yes’ for Israel to become a sovereign state in 1947.

However, Liberia, along with many African countries, severed diplomatic ties with Israel after the 1973 Yom Kippur War. (Did anyone tell them that we were attacked, unprovoked, by Egypt and Syria on Yom Kippur 1973?) But then, connections were restored ten years later, and now the bonds between the Jewish State and Liberia have deepened over the years, with bilateral agreements in aviation, economy, technology, plus cooperation on security matters.

President Herzog noted that Israel and Liberia have a “special” relationship with “deep respect” and that the nation is considered a “strategic partner in Africa,” and he is committed to working to see that the “strategic partnership is advanced for the betterment of both countries.” He also hopes to follow in his “father’s footsteps” and visit Liberia next year, as former Israeli President Chaim Herzog did in 1984.

Last week, Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid met with his counterpart in Suriname, Albert Ramdin, who announced that the South American country plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem soon.

Liberia and Suriname join a number of other countries that have declared intentions to solidify ties with Israel by having their diplomatic headquarters in Jerusalem. The United States, Guatemala, Honduras, and Kosovo have opened their embassies there already. In addition, Australia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary have a diplomatic outpost there (either a trade or cultural office). Another African nation, Malawi, announced plans to open an embassy a year and a half ago, but nothing has materialized yet.

Israel appears to be working hard to strengthen its ties with Africa. On June 1, there was a special Israel-Africa conference in Paris. And recently, in Jerusalem, Lapid met with Togo Foreign Minister Robert Dussey. After the meeting, Lapid tweeted, “Israel is back in Africa, and I am looking forward to continuing to work together to deepen our ties with a close friend and proven partner like Togo.”

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Singapore Announces Historic Establishment Of First Embassy In Israel

by The Israel Insider
written by The Israel Insider

On Monday a meeting was held between the Foreign Minister of Israel Yair Lapid and his Singaporean counterpart, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan. The Singaporean Foreign Minister informed Minister Lapid that Singapore intends to open an embassy in Israel for the first time since the establishment of relations between the two nations in 1965.

Israel, however, has had an embassy in Singapore for decades.

Yair Lapid said of the announcement, “I welcome the Government of Singapore’s decision to open an embassy in Israel for the first time since our diplomatic relations were established. This is further evidence of the good and special relations between our two countries.”

Also on Monday, Israel’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Orit Farkash HaCohen, signed a cooperation agreement with Vivian Balakrishnan in Jerusalem, for the two nations to collaborate on Artificial Intelligence (AI), a move that will benefit the development and deployment of AI in both countries. Singapore is considered a leading country in the field of high-tech and AI.

For his part, however, Minister Balakrishnan seems to be more interested in promoting his visit to Ramallah where he met with the leadership of the Palestinian Authority (PA) On Sunday he met with PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki and Health Minister Mai Al-Kaila.

“We will establish a representative office in Ramallah,” said Minister Balakrishnan on Twitter, “to support the work of our Non-Resident Representative Hawazi Daipi, coordinate our technical assistance & facilitate engagement w the PA. Our technical assistance programs have benefitted over 600 Palestinian officials.”

The Minister added that he presented a donation of masks to Minister Al-Kaila. The masks are part of Singapore’s special healthcare assistance package to the PA.

“Hope these will help PA manage the pandemic,” he said.

Dr. Balakrishnan was also scheduled to visit Yad Vashem on Monday.

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‘Brave Countries Taking Courageous Steps’: Bahraini Ambassador Submits Credentials To Israeli President

by The Israel Insider
written by The Israel Insider

The new ambassadors of Mexico, Spain, Estonia, Greece, and the Vatican and, for the first time, the Kingdom of Bahrain, submitted their credentials to President Yitzhak Herzog on Tuesday, beginning their role as ambassadors of their countries in Israel.

Khaled Yousef al-Jalahmah, the Ambassador of Bahrain, submitted his credentials on the eve of the first anniversary of the signing of the Abraham Accords and the normalization of relations between Bahrain and Israel.

“I’m so proud that we took this brave step last year to work hand-in-hand towards peace, security and stability in the world,” Al Jalahma tweeted on his way to the ceremony.

Following the inauguration ceremony, Herzog held a working meeting with Al Jalahma.

Herzog told the press that “brave countries are taking courageous steps. The Abraham Accords were the result of vision and power. Vision and power of countries and leaders. The developing partnership between our countries is a model for the whole Middle East, and I hope other countries in our region will draw inspiration from your example.”

“At this time, as new and credible reports of Iran’s progress toward nuclear weapons arrive, it is more important than ever to be united in the fight against extremist forces working to undermine stability and peace in the region,” he stated.

Al Jalahma stated that “peace is the strategic choice of the Kingdom of Bahrain. I believe that this historic step will lay a solid foundation for relations between our countries, based on the values ​​of tolerance and coexistence between peoples, beliefs, and religions.”

The President congratulated the Ambassador and his wife on their arrival in Israel and noted that he hopes to attend the official opening of the Bahraini Embassy in Israel.

The Israeli embassy in Manama, Bahrain, has been active since January and is headed by Itay Tegner.

The United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain shortly after it, announced in August 2020 the normalization of relations with Israel.

The Abraham Accords were signed between the three countries on September 15 on the White House lawns.

Sudan was next to announce the normalization of relations with Israel in October, Israel’s third peace treaty in two months.

Morocco came fourth in December 2020.

The Abraham Accords, the first pact between an Arab country and Israel in 25 years, is expected to lead to similar agreements with other Arab countries, possibly Oman or Saudi Arabia.

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UAE Makes History—Gulf State Opens Embassy in Israel

by Ron Cantor
written by Ron Cantor

Continuing down the path to peace open by the historic Abraham Accords. Last year, the United Arab Emirates inaugurated its new embassy in Israel Tuesday.

“This embassy is not just a hub for diplomats, but a base in our new partnership,” UAE Ambassador Mohammed Al Khajah told the crowd gathered for the historic occasion. “It marks a new paradigm for peace and a model for a new collaborative approach for conflict resolution. It is a great honor to open the embassy here.”

The new embassy is situated in the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange building. A symbolic site given the substantial economic partnerships developing between the two countries. Certainly, it was too much to ask for the Muslim-dominated country to open their Embassy in Jerusalem.

Two weeks ago, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid celebrated the opening of Israel’s embassy in Abu Dhabi. Unfortunately, he could not attend the ceremony in Tel Aviv due to a staff member testing positive for the coronavirus.

Isaac Hertzog, Israel’s new president, was in attendance and hailed the event as an “important step for the entire Middle East.”

“To see the Emirati flag in the skies of Tel Aviv would have seemed like a distant dream. Today it is a reality,” Hertzog said.

The ceremony finished with Ambassador Khajah opening trade on the exchange. “Ten months ago, our two countries signed the Abraham Accords with the vision of dignity, prosperity, and peace for the two peoples. This is just the beginning.”

Bahrain, which also signed the Abraham Accords, has said it plans to open an embassy in Israel.

After the ceremony, Foreign Minister Lapid tweeted, “We will continue to expand the circle of peace and normalization.”

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Neighbors, Friends, and Embassies—Historic Firsts with the UAE and Honduras

by Ron Cantor
written by Ron Cantor

Last Thursday, Honduras became the 4th nation to move its embassy to Jerusalem. This week, Israel Foreign Minister Yair Lapid inaugurated Israel’s embassy in the UAE. This marks the first diplomatic visit to the Gulf State nation since the historic Abraham Accords last year.

“We are standing here today because we chose peace over war, cooperation over conflict, the good of our children over the bad memories of the past,” Lapid said. “Agreements are signed by leaders, but peace is made by people.

At the ceremony inaugurating the Israeli embassy in Abu Dhabi, Lapid made special mention of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s great contributions to bring about the Accords. Netanyahu had intended to visit the UAE soon after the Accords were signed, but travel restrictions from coronavirus, a health issue with his wife, and diplomatic troubles with Jordan prevented him from making the trip a reality.

Lapid also thanked former US President Donald Trump and current US President Joe Biden.

“Israel wants peace with all its neighbors. We aren’t going anywhere. The Middle East is our home. We’re here to stay. We call on all countries of the region to recognize that and come talk to us.”

Noura Al Kaabi, the Emirati Culture Minister, also attended the ceremony. She said she hoped this was the first of many visits between high-level officials of both governments. “It is essential that we prepare ourselves and our children toward a new world.”

Israel and the UAE have already begun collaborative ventures in artificial intelligence, smart cities, tourism, and in dealing with the pandemic.

Lapid also planned to attend the inauguration of Israel’s consulate in Dubai and the Dubai Expo 2020 world trade fair while he is in the country.

Lapid, the architect for Israel’s new government, is quickly making a name for himself as an ambitious (in the good sense) foreign minister. He hit the ground running, and Israelis are giving him high marks.

Another embassy made history last Thursday when Honduras moved its embassy to Jerusalem, becoming the 4th nation to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

“It’s a unique day in our history, and this is a recognition from our people to the people of Israel…this is a day of commitment, so the next generation of Hondurans keep this embassy in Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel,” said Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez.

Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett thanked President Hernandez and the people of Honduras for their courage to stand with Israel by acknowledging Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state.

“Mr. President, Honduras under your leadership stands consistently with Israel in the international institutions when it is not always popular, and sometimes it comes with a cost, and this is evidence of the friendship and willingness to take action, including paying a price, and I want to thank you and the public in Honduras for this support.”

Hernandez gave “thanks to God” for allowing him to be president at such a time in history, to be able to move the Honduran embassy to Jerusalem.

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‘Indicator Of The Abiding Friendship’: Honduras Inaugurates Embassy In Jerusalem

by The Israel Insider
written by The Israel Insider

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez arrived in Israel on Thursday at the head of a delegation of senior officials to inaugurate the country’s embassy in Jerusalem and to sign a series of agreements with the Jewish state.

Honduras already has a commercial office in Jerusalem and announced the opening of the embassy during former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s tenure.

Hernandez met privately with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem and then held a working meeting with the participation of Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, Honduran Secretary of State Lisandro Rosales Banegas, the Honduran Minister of the Presidency and the head of the Honduran tax authority.

The foreign ministers signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding plans and projects in agriculture, water resource management, health and sharing information on developing innovation.

An agreement was also signed on the employment of the spouses of diplomatic, administrative, consular and technical representatives in diplomatic missions in order for them to receive permits to work outside the embassy.

The leaders then dedicated the Honduran Embassy in Jerusalem.

Bennett welcomed the Honduran officials to “our eternal capital Jerusalem.”

“Your arrival to dedicate the Honduran Embassy in Jerusalem, the reopening of the Israeli Embassy in Tegucigalpa and the cooperation agreement that we have just signed, are an additional indicator of the abiding friendship and deep link between the Jewish state, the State of Israel, and the people and nation of Honduras, under your leadership,” said Bennett.

Calling Hernandez “a true friend of Israel,” Bennett said that the Jewish people “have a long memory and you will be inscribed on the pages of history as one who took a courageous and correct action for the State of Israel.”

“Mr. President, under your leadership Honduras has consistently stood alongside Israel in international institutions even when that was not always popular and even when it occasionally exacted a price. This attests to friendship – the willingness to take actions that entail paying a price. I would like to thank you and the Honduran public for this support,” he added.

The US and Guatemala relocated their embassies to Jerusalem in May 2018.

Brazil has a trade office in the capital, and the Czech Republic has established a cultural and trade center in Jerusalem.

The Dominican Republic, Malawi, Equatorial Guinea, and Kosovo have announced their intentions to open embassies in Jerusalem.

Read also: Following Outbreaks, IDF Will Keep Corona Management Unit Open

 

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Jerusalem And Pentecost, Forever Linked

by Dr Michael Layne
written by Dr Michael Layne

3000 years have passed since King David declared Jerusalem the capital of Israe, 2000 years ago it became the city where the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost and finally last year the USA recognised the city as the capital of Israel.

We witnessed history in the making in May 2018 when America established its embassy in the Holy City, acknowledging Jerusalem as the place King David established.

As I watched Benjamin Netanyahu give his speech at the embassy opening,  I was moved with compassion for his country and citizens as they, once again, received recognition of their capital. The Prime Minister’s words rang out praise for Donald Trump thanking him for being the President to keep his word and with these words, ‘Making history by recognising history’.

Our President is no ordinary politician but, a shrewd businessman that remembers the importance of history.

As I watched the ceremony of the opening of the embassy I was reminded that the following Sunday, May 20th, 2018 was Pentecost Sunday on the church calendar. There are some churches that follow a liturgical calendar and my church is one of those.  We celebrate Pentecost Sunday as we understand it is the birthday of the Church our Lord established.

The reclaiming of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the Feast of Pentecost coinciding lead me to understand how gloriously timed this was as a celebration of renewal for God’s people both Jew and Christian.

Now let this new season of Pentecost as we celebrate Pentecost Sunday on June 9th 2019 be a time of renewal just as Acts 2 tells us:

“On the day of Pentecost all the Lord’s followers were together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from Heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting. Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there. The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak. Many religious Jews from every country in the world were living in Jerusalem. And when they heard this noise, a crowd gathered. But they were surprised, because they were hearing everything in their own languages.  

“They were excited and amazed, and said: ‘Don’t all these who are speaking come from Galilee? Then why do we hear them speaking our very own languages? Some of us are from Parthia, Media, and Elam. Others are from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, parts of Libya near Cyrene, Rome, Crete, and Arabia. Some of us were born Jews, and others of us have chosen to be Jews. Yet we all hear them using our own languages to tell the wonderful things God has done’.”

It is my prayer that, once again, Pentecost will bring about this marvelous ability for all people from every tribe, nation, and tongue to be able to hear and understand each other during a time when peace is needed.

Let’s tell others about the “wonderful things God has done.”

The Holy Spirit is our Comforter and Guide so, let’s allow Him to do just that in these troubled times when people throughout the world are still angry about Jerusalem being reclaimed as the capital. For sure, here in the USA, there are many in our educational systems, government and yes, churches who aren’t happy about the embassy move. We must pray for them and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

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