Israel's Enemies are Focused on Africa

Israel advocates must do so as well

On December 1, 2021, to the dismay of Israel, Jews, and their friends across the world, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly passed resolution GA/12390 titled “Jerusalem”. One of three resolutions forming the “Palestinian Package”, the resolution referred to the Temple Mount only by its Arabic name “Haram al‑Sharif” thereby removing any Jewish connection to the holiest site in Judaism. The resolution was another of countless efforts by the international community to delegitimize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish State of Israel.

There are 54 African countries that are members of the United Nations. Known as the “Group of African States”, with an arrangement to coordinate member state efforts and agendas on various topics — ranging from health and migration to issues of peace and security — these states form the largest bloc in the UN. Many resolutions regarding Israel have passed or failed depending on how African nations have voted.

One need only look to the dramatic events of December 31, 2014, when the UN Security Council voted on a resolution that was intended to, among other things, led to the creation of the State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital. Three African nations – Chad, Nigeria, and Rwanda – served on the Security Council. Following negotiations preceding the vote, Chad and Nigeria were expected to vote in favor of the resolution, and Rwanda was expected to abstain from voting. However, Nigeria joined Rwanda in abstaining thereby denying the Palestinian efforts of the nine votes they needed for the resolution to pass.

In particular, the abstentions by Rwanda and Nigeria in the December 31, 2014, Security Council resolution were seen as a direct result of improved relations between those countries and Israel. Israel has in recent years sought to actively and, as a priority, reestablish and strengthen diplomatic, economic, cooperation, and security ties with African nations, ties that were mostly begrudgingly cut in the early 1970s. In his visit to Kenya and other African countries in 2016, then Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “Israel is coming back to Africa, and Africa is returning to Israel. Unfortunately, Israel is not the only country that recognizes Africa’s value as a political, trade, social, and security ally.  

Together with Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, Iran is an exporter of the revolutionary ethos of Islam to the African continent. Iran views Africa as a strategic partner in its global struggle for influence. This does not bode well for Africa, stability in the Middle East, or peace in the West.

In 2020, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime uncovered evidence that suggested Iranian weapons were being trafficked by criminal networks into Africa. From the Islamic Movement in Nigeria to Al Shabab in Kenya and Iranian sleeper cells across the continent, Africa is now the eye of the global terrorism storm. This newly earned title is due in no small part to Iran’s direct and indirect presence on the continent. Iran’s growing presence in Africa as part of its efforts to establish a global terror network houses the very real threat to destabilize any peace and security efforts in the Middle East, and initiate new terrorist attacks in the West.

The role of African states’ voting for, or against, or abstaining from resolutions targeting Israel in the UN has long been overlooked. Of the 20 resolutions passed by the UN General Assembly in 2021, 14 were against the State of Israel. This must change. Any effort to transform the systemic antisemitic nature of the UN will only be possible if focus is placed on raising African leaders who will act in accordance with what is right for their people. One can but imagine the good that will be accomplished for the African continent when African states rightfully recognize and treat Israel like the friend she has been since Israeli independence in 1948. This is a friendship with ancient ties, dating back 3,000 years to the Queen of Sheba’s visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem.

In addition to serving as a cesspool for Jew-hatred by governments of the world, the UN’s current toxic attitude towards Israel severely hurts Africa. The UN’s obsessive focus on Israel has resulted in Africa not receiving the attention or help in addressing the palpable dangers the continent faces. This too must change.

Initially launched as a fashion campaign by South African designer Papama Mtwisha in 2017, Africa Your Time Is Now has become synonymous with drawing attention to the potential of Africa and Africans to contribute to the world in substantive, meaningful, and forward-leading ways. Author Howard French notes that “the future of economic demand, climate change, conflict, global health and much more” is “bound up in the future of Africa”. This is a fact that Israel’s enemies have recognized. It is a fact that Israel’s allies must recognize. And urgently so.