Israel to keep lower profile on advancing ties with Sudan

Israel’s recent enthusiasm for constructing ties with Sudan might have scared Khartoum, which prefers advancing more discreetly.
Sudanese businessman Abu al-Qassem Bortoum speaks during an inter-faith event to promote religious tolerance in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, on Feb. 6, 2021. The Sudanese businessman defended hosting the event in the Muslim-majority country that also included Jews, Christians and Hindus. Critics from an Islamist group had argued such events would heighten tensions a month after Sudan's landmark decision to normalize ties with Israel in a US-brokered deal.
Sudanese businessman Abu al-Qassem Bortoum speaks during an inter-faith event to promote religious tolerance in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, on Feb. 6, 2021. The Sudanese businessman defended hosting the event in the Muslim-majority country that also included Jews, Christians and Hindus. Critics from an Islamist group had argued such events would heighten tensions a month after Sudan's landmark decision to normalize ties with Israel in a US-brokered deal. - EBRAHIM HAMID/AFP via Getty Images
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Rina Bassist
@RinaBassist

On April 19, Sudan officially decided to abolish its 1958 law on boycotting Israel. A bill for the abolishment of the boycott was presented to the Sudanese Cabinet on April 6 and ratified this week jointly by the Sudanese ruling Sovereignty Council and the Cabinet. Sudanese Justice Minister Nasredeen Abdulbari announced the decision, which should enable bilateral ties to progress. It would allow Sudanese to do business with Israelis and enable Sudanese to visit relatives living in Israel.

Evidently, the Sudanese decision is significant both practically and on the symbolic level. On top of the 1958 boycott, Israel still remembers the post-1967 Six-Day War Khartoum Resolution of the Arab League containing the three famous nos: No peace with Israel. No recognition of Israel. No negotiation with Israel. That being said, official Israel kept quiet and did not react to the decision to abolish the Sudanese boycott. Neither the office of the prime minister nor the Foreign Ministry issued any comment on the issue. Sources at the Foreign Ministry say that for the sake of bilateral ties, Jerusalem needs to keep a low profile on any such advancements in Khartoum.

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