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Israel–Senegal relations

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Israel–Senegal relations

Israel
Senegal

Israel–Senegal relations refer to the international bilateral diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations between Israel and Senegal.

Full diplomatic relations have been established between the two nations. Israel has an embassy in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. Israel participates in various cooperation programs with Senegal, including those aimed at the development of agriculture.

The current Israeli ambassador to Senegal is Paul Hirschson. He also serves as the non-resident ambassador to neighboring countries such as Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Cape Verde.[1]

History

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Israel was the fourth country to recognize Senegal's independence.[1]

In 1964, Israeli Foreign Minister Golda Meir made an official visit to Senegal.[1]

Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol visited Senegal in 1966, marking the first visit by an Israeli leader to Senegal.[2]

In 1973, following the Yom Kippur War, relations between the two countries were strained when over 24 African countries severed diplomatic ties with Israel under pressure from Arab states. However, in 1978, Shimon Peres visited Senegal to participate in an international socialist summit at the invitation of Senegalese President Leopold Senghor.[3]

In 1994, the two nations signed an economic cooperation agreement.[4] In 2010, Israel's exports to Senegal amounted to $3.3 million.[5]

In 1999, Israeli Communication Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer paid an official visit to Senegal.[6]

In 2008, Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade mediated negotiations between Fatah and Hamas, during which the prospect of a peace agreement with Israel was discussed.[7]

In December 2008, Israel's ambassador to the UN, Gabriela Shalev, signed an agreement with the UN Development Program (UNDP).[8]

In 2010, Israel's Ministry of Agriculture has partnered with Senegalese counterparts on joint projects, including improving water access for agricultural regions.[9]

In 2013, Israel hosted a film festival in several Senegalese cities.[10] Additionally, Omar Diene, the Secretary-General of the Senegalese Imams Union, visited Israel as part of an exchange program and led several delegations of Senegalese imams on visits to Israel.[11]

In May 2013, Israeli Ambassador Eli Ben-Tura invited 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, to celebrate Eid al-Adha at the Israeli embassy.[12] The relationship between Israel and Senegal continued to grow, with trade volume between the two nations increasing by more than 300% from 2003 to 2013.[13]

In September 2016, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Senegalese President Macky Sall. Netanyahu emphasized the strong relationship between the two nations and invited the Senegalese leader to visit Israel.[14] In the same month, Israel's embassy in Senegal donated 70 sheep to needy Senegalese families as part of an Eid al-Adha charity campaign.[15]

In December 2016, after Senegal supported UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlements, Prime Minister Netanyahu recalled Israel's ambassador to Senegal, suspended all planned aid programs to the country, and canceled an upcoming visit by Senegal's foreign minister.[16]

In June 2017, Netanyahu attended the ECOWAS summit in Liberia, where he met with President Macky Sall. The two leaders agreed to normalize relations. Israel reinstated its ambassador to Senegal, and Senegal pledged to support Israel's observer status in the African Union.[17]

In August 2017, Senegal appointed its first-ever ambassador to Israel, Talla Fall, a non-resident diplomat based in Cairo, Egypt. Ambassador Fall presented his credentials to President Reuven Rivlin in a ceremony in Jerusalem.[18]

In 2018, Senegalese Foreign Minister Sidiki Kaba visited Israel. During his visit, he met with Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman and toured key sites, including Yad Vashem and the Western Wall.[19]

In 2021, Ben Bourgel was appointed as the Israeli Ambassador to Senegal, also serving as a non-resident ambassador to neighboring countries, including Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.[20]

As of 2025, Israel continued to support Senegal's agricultural sector through MASHAV, its international development agency. Projects were focused on improving irrigation systems, water management, and introducing advanced farming techniques.[21]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "There's a special relationship growing between Israel and Senegal". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2016-03-15. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  2. ^ "50 Years Since Prime Minister Levi Eshkol's Visit to Africa". Archived from the original on 2017-06-08. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  3. ^ There's a special relationship growing between Israel and Senegal
  4. ^ General Agreement on Cooperation between the Government of Israel and the Government of the Republic of Senegal
  5. ^ Sub-Saharan Africa: Summary of Trade Relations with Israel 2000–2010 (in Hebrew)
  6. ^ There's a special relationship growing between Israel and Senegal
  7. ^ Fatah and Hamas coordinate positions on agreement with Israel
  8. ^ "Israel to aid developing countries". Ynetnews. 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  9. ^ "Israel Teaches Irrigation Methods to Senegalese Farming Students". Voice of America. 2010-04-26. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  10. ^ "There's a special relationship growing between Israel and Senegal". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2016-03-15. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  11. ^ "Delegation of Imams from Senegal visits Yad Vashem". Ynetnews. 2014-11-27. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  12. ^ Liphshiz, Cnaan. "Amid rising African Islamism, Israel-Senegal ties prosper". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  13. ^ Liphshiz, Cnaan. "Amid rising African Islamism, Israel-Senegal ties prosper". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  14. ^ IsraeliPM (2016-09-21). PM Netanyahu Meets President of Senegal Macky Sall. Retrieved 2025-05-07 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ Julian, Hana Levi (2016-09-16). "Israeli Embassy in Dakar Gave Sheep to Needy for Eid al-Adha". The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  16. ^ i24NEWS (2017-02-10). "Israel downgrades diplomatic ties with New Zealand, Senegal over UNSC vote". i24NEWS. Retrieved 2025-05-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ AfricaNews (2017-06-04). "Senegal, Israel quash diplomatic crisis at ECOWAS Summit". Africanews. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  18. ^ Ahren, Raphael. "Two Muslim-majority Africa states to send first-ever envoys to Israel". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  19. ^ "Israël se réjouit du nouveau pas de géant dans ses relations diplomatiques avec le Sénégal". Leral.net - Sénégal (in French). Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  20. ^ https://new.embassies.gov.il/senegal/en/the-embassy/the-ambassador
  21. ^ "MASHAV – Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs". www.fao.org. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
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