Israel-Africa Relations Institute

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐛𝐛𝐞

Fifty years after Operation Entebbe, discussions often focus on the military success of the mission. Yet, as our CEO Shiri Fein-Grossman writes in The Jerusalem Post Report, there is another legacy worth remembering: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞.

The article explores how enduring relationships are built through trust, institutional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and long-term engagement. It also reminds us that diplomacy does not end when headlines fade. Its true impact is measured through partnerships that continue to evolve over generations.

At the Israel-Africa Relations Institute, we believe these lessons remain essential as we work to strengthen connections between Israel and African countries across business, innovation, education, agriculture, and public policy.

We are proud to share this important contribution by our CEO, Shiri Fein Grossman.

Read full article:

Operation Entebbe at 50: Israel’s forgotten African partnerships | The Jerusalem Post Fifty years after the famous rescue, Israel should remember not only a military triumph, but the African partnerships that made it possible – and the lessons they hold for the future

Turkey's footprint in Somalia is drawing sharp criticism from within, and reshaping the Horn of Africa's geopolitics.
In a striking interview with N12, Somali MP Abdullahi Hashi Abib accuses Ankara of dominating Somalia's fishing industry, ports, and political system, and alleges Turkish bribery keeps Somali lawmakers from pushing back.
Analysts see Somalia as a launchpad for Turkey's ambitions as a rising middle power across Africa and the Indian Ocean, a dynamic that has intensified since Israel's recognition of Somaliland last year sharpened Israel-Turkey competition in the region.
Another data point in Africa's growing significance to competing regional powers.

Read more:

חבר הפרלמנט הסומלי במתקפה יוצאת דופן על ההשתלטות של ארדואן בשיחה עם N12 מספר חבר הפרלמנט הסומלי עבדאללהי האשי עביב על ההשפעה האדירה של טורקיה בסומליה, שהפכה לזירת התגוששות בין ישראל לטורקיה

During her recent visit to Israel, we had the privilege of hosting a 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐢𝐦𝐜𝐨 𝐀𝐥𝐢 𝐎𝐁𝐄, 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐅𝐆𝐌) and co-founder and CEO of The Five Foundation, the global partnership working to end FGM.
We took the opportunity to listen to Nimco's powerful personal story and engage in an open and meaningful discussion about one of the most urgent human rights challenges facing millions of girls and women around the world especially in Africa.
One of the key messages Nimco shared was that 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. 𝐍𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐅𝐆𝐌. 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬.
FGM is a form of gender-based violence and a serious violation of human rights. It has no place in our societies.
While legislative progress is important, laws alone are not enough. 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭,𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.
Breaking the silence is one of the most powerful steps we can take. The more openly we talk about FGM, the more support we build forending it and protecting future generations of girls.
Thank you, Nimco Ali, for sharing your story with such honesty and courage, and for your tireless work to ensure that every girl can growup safe, empowered, and free from violence.

New Publication | Dr. Asher Lubotzky

We are proud to share a new article by Dr. Asher Lubotzky, Senior Research Fellow at the Israel–Africa Relations Institute, published by the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI).

In his analysis, Dr. Lubotzky examines Israel's renewed strategic engagement in the Horn of Africa following October 7, with a particular focus on Somaliland, the Red Sea, and the evolving regional landscape.

📖 Read the full article:
https://www.ispionline.it/en/publication/the-return-of-the-periphery-israel-somaliland-and-the-horn-of-africa-after-october-7-242614

We congratulate H.E. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu on the presentation of her Letters of Credence as Ambassador of Nigeria to the State of Israel.

We wish her a successful tenure and look forward to the continued strengthening of the longstanding partnership between Israel and Nigeria.

🇮🇱🌍 𝐈𝐒𝐑𝐀𝐄𝐋-𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒
1. Israel, DR Congo Expand Ties as Medical Aid Reaches Ebola Response

2. Uganda and Morocco Set to Join Gaza Stabilization Force
3. Ethiopian Airlines Expands Tel Aviv Service to 26 Weekly Flights
4. Israel and Nigeria Fund Fifth Innovation Fellowship

🌍 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐍𝐓
1. Burkina Faso’s Traoré Vows to Fight Radical Islam
2. African Union Condemns Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Tankers
3. US Unveils $500 Million Critical Minerals Program for Africa
4. Nigeria Approves Major Military Expansion Amid Worsening Violence
5. Chad Moves to withdraw from International Criminal Court
6. Uganda Nominates Olara Otunnu for UN Secretary-General
7. AfDB Warns “Super” El Niño Could Cost Africa Up to $20 Billion
8. ECOWAS Reaffirms 2027 Launch of ECO Single Currency
9. Sahel States Submit Joint 2032 Africa Cup of Nations Bid

📱 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒘𝒔𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓:
🇬🇧 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡: https://app.activetrail.com/S/aijixzfjwjw.htm
🇮🇱 𝐇𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰: https://israelafricaorg.activetrail.biz/Hebrew198
🇫🇷 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡: https://israelafricaorg.activetrail.biz/French40
✉️ 𝑱𝒐𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕: http://israelafricaorg.activetrail.biz/mailing_list

For English, please scroll down.

היחסים בין ישראל לדרום אפריקה: מעבר לכותרות.
בשנים האחרונות היחסים בין ישראל לדרום אפריקה עומדים במוקד תשומת הלב הבינלאומית. אך האם הכותרות מספרות את כל הסיפור?
בוובינר שקיימנו אתמול ביקשנו להעמיק במורכבות היחסים בין המדינות ולהציג תמונה רחבה יותר, המשלבת היבטים מדיניים, כלכליים ועסקיים.
בין הנושאים שעלו:
• כיצד התפתחו היחסים בין ישראל לדרום אפריקה לאורך השנים.
• מה עומד מאחורי המשבר המדיני הנוכחי.
• כיצד הושפעו היחסים הכלכליים והעסקיים.
• מהן ההזדמנויות שעודן קיימות לחברות ישראליות.
• ומה ניתן ללמוד מניסיונה של נאוה גטהון פסהה, הנספחת הכלכלית היוצאת של משרד הכלכלה והתעשייה בדרום אפריקה.

תודה לד"ר אשר לובוצקי, עמית מחקר בכיר במכון, ולנאוה גטהון פסהה על
השיחה המקצועית והמעמיקה, ולכל מי שהצטרף אלינו.

למי שפספסו, ההקלטה המלאה זמינה כאן:

🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQn2SLLkb4U
צפייה מהנה!

Israel-South Africa Relations: Looking Beyond the Headlines.
In recent years, relations between Israel and South Africa have attracted significant international attention. But do the headlines tell the whole story?
In our recent webinar, "South Africa and Israel: Between the Headlines and Reality," the Israel-Africa Relations Institute explored the political, economic, and business dimensions of this important relationship, offering a broader perspective on where things stand today and what may lie ahead.
Please note: The webinar was conducted in Hebrew, and the recording is available in Hebrew only.
Key topics included:
• The evolution of Israel-South Africa relations over the decades.
• The political dynamics shaping the current relationship.
• The impact on trade, business, and economic cooperation.
• Opportunities that continue to exist for Israeli and South African businesses.
• Reflections from Nava Getahun Feseha, the outgoing Economic Attaché of Israel's Ministry of Economy and Industry to South Africa, on the business landscape and opportunities ahead.
Our sincere thanks to Asher Lubotzky, Senior Research Fellow at the Israel-Africa Relations Institute, and Nava for sharing their expertise and insights.

If you understand Hebrew, or would like to share the recording with Hebrew-speaking colleagues, you can watch the full webinar here:
🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQn2SLLkb4U

We hope you find it insightful and look forward to continuing the conversation.

www.youtube.com

🌍 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞?

The recent US-Israel war with Iran exposed a structural vulnerability the world has long lived with: global trade depends on a handful of narrow maritime chokepoints; from the Strait of Hormuz to the Bab el-Mandeb.
For Africa, the impact was immediate. African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) approved a $10B emergency facility to help economies absorb the shock. Vessels rerouted to Kenya's Lamu Port. And a broader shift came into focus: 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥, 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐠𝐞𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝.
Across the continent, a network of corridors (𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐚-𝐒𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐥, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐋𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐨, 𝐀𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐣𝐚𝐧-𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐬, etc.) and gateways (𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐝, 𝐃𝐣𝐢𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢, 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐚/𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐮, 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧/𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧) is emerging, reshaping how trade moves, where value is captured, and who holds influence.
Add Somaliland's position near the Bab el-Mandeb, and Africa's geography, once seen as a constraint, starts to look like a strategic asset.

𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 👇
https://substack.com//note/c-294969415?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=76p4bx