Thursday 5 November 2020
Last update on Thursday, November 5, 2020 At 1:34 PM
In 2021, Malawi is expected to become the first African country to establish its embassy in the holy city of Jerusalem. The measure aims to strengthen Israeli-Malawian relations in the areas of agriculture, tourism, investment technology, education and trade.
Malawi wants to open an embassy in the city of Jerusalem in 2021. The announcement was made on Tuesday, November 3 by Eisenhower Mkaka, Malawian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The measure aims to strengthen diplomatic relations that have existed between the two countries since Malawi’s independence in 1964, even though Lilongwe still does not have an embassy in Israel.
As part of the new announcement, Malawi hopes to secure from Israel increased bilateral cooperation in agriculture, tourism, investment technology, education and trade, according to a joint statement. published, following a visit by Minister Mkaka to Israel.
The city of Jerusalem is disputed between Israel and the Palestinian territory, who have each claimed it as their capital for decades. In December 2017, US President Donald Trump decided to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and since then has helped the Jewish state to forge deeper relations with other Arab countries, as well as Africa.
A doctor of divinity and staunch supporter of the Jewish state, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera announced in September his intention to open an embassy in Jerusalem. If this promise comes true, the southern African country that is one of the few that did not sever relations with Israel after the Yom Kippur War in 1973 would be the first on the continent to set up its diplomatic mission in the holy city.
“I would like to congratulate the government of Malawi on its important decision to be a pioneer and the first African country to establish its embassy in Jerusalem. I am sure other African leaders will follow this decision, ”said Gabi Ashkenazi, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Source Ecofin agency
