Israel’s Africa ambitions highlight Egypt's absence
While Egyptian-Israeli relations are improving, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Africa could negatively affect Egypt's historical role in the African continent.
CAIRO — Egyptian-Israeli relations are witnessing unprecedented cooperation under Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Since the signing of the Camp David Accords in September 1978, Egypt has cooperated with Israel on certain matters, but what is new is the Israeli side’s attitude. As Sisi denies Egypt its leading role in the region, the Israeli political administration continues to hold talks with regional countries. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that relations with Turkey were normalized again June 28, and that he had briefed the Egyptian president on the progress of the talks with Turkey. Netanyahu gave no details, however, about his phone call with Sisi.
Only four days later, Netanyahu announced a whirlwind tour of Africa to visit Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia, as Israel sought to embellish its image and change it from a colonial entity to a state that enjoys bilateral security and economic cooperation with African countries.
