Arab League discusses Israel’s Africa charm offensive

CAIRO (AA) – The Arab League on Monday discussed means of confronting recent Israeli “expansion” in Africa in light of Chad’s decision earlier this month to resume ties with Tel Aviv following a 46-year hiatus.

The meeting in Cairo was chaired by Saudi Arabia’s permanent league representative and attended by Saeed Abu Ali, the league’s deputy secretary-general for Palestinian Affairs.

According to Abu Ali, the league’s Committee for Confronting Israeli Schemes in Africa met to discuss “means of curtailing the further expansion of Israeli influence on the African continent” following the recent resumption of Israel-Chad relations.

Abu Ali went on to stress that Monday’s meeting “comes within the framework of the league’s continued support for the Palestinian cause”.

On Jan. 20, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Chad, where he announced the official resumption of ties with N’Djamena following a meeting with Chadian President Idriss Deby.

In recent years, Israel has sought to improve relations with African states.

Israel currently maintains embassies in 10 out of 54 African countries, namely, Senegal, Egypt, Angola, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Cameroon.