Israel–South Sudan relations: Difference between revisions

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A large South Sudanese diaspora in Israel advocated for ties to be formalised,{{when|date=September 2011}} and the Israeli government found ways to engage constructively with the regional government of South Sudan, mainly through Mashav, the international cooperation division of the [[Israeli Foreign Ministry]].<ref name=ajc_history /> Non-governmental organisations also played a critical role.{{vague|date=December 2011}} The [[American Jewish Committee]]'s [[Africa Institute]] visited South Sudan in 2008 to meet with government officials and learn of ways in which the diaspora in Israel might be involved in state-building efforts in preparation for South Sudan's independence. The Africa Institute also introduced senior members of the South Sudanese leadership to officials in the [[Prime Minister of Israel|Israeli Prime Minister's Office]] and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.<ref name=ajc_history>{{cite web | url=http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ijITI2PHKoG&b=2818295&ct=11071683&notoc=1 | title=AJC Applauds Israel-South Sudan Diplomatic Ties | publisher=[[American Jewish Committee|AJC]] | date=30 July 2011 | accessdate=31 July 2011 }}</ref>
A large South Sudanese diaspora in Israel advocated for ties to be formalised,{{when|date=September 2011}} and the Israeli government found ways to engage constructively with the regional government of South Sudan, mainly through Mashav, the international cooperation division of the [[Israeli Foreign Ministry]].<ref name=ajc_history /> Non-governmental organisations also played a critical role.{{vague|date=December 2011}} The [[American Jewish Committee]]'s [[Africa Institute]] visited South Sudan in 2008 to meet with government officials and learn of ways in which the diaspora in Israel might be involved in state-building efforts in preparation for South Sudan's independence. The Africa Institute also introduced senior members of the South Sudanese leadership to officials in the [[Prime Minister of Israel|Israeli Prime Minister's Office]] and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.<ref name=ajc_history>{{cite web | url=http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ijITI2PHKoG&b=2818295&ct=11071683&notoc=1 | title=AJC Applauds Israel-South Sudan Diplomatic Ties | publisher=[[American Jewish Committee|AJC]] | date=30 July 2011 | accessdate=31 July 2011 }}</ref>


==Political ties==
==Diplomatic relations==
On 9 July 2011, South Sudan officially gained its independence from [[Sudan]]. Israel recognised its independence the following day,<Ref>http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2011/Cabinet_communique_10-Jul-2011.htm</ref> during a weekly [[Government of Israel|cabinet]] meeting.<ref name=isrCabinetRecComm /> [[Israeli Prime Minister]] [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] told his cabinet that "I announce here that Israel recognizes South Sudan. We wish it success. It is a peace-seeking country and we would be happy to cooperate with it in order to ensure its development and prosperity."<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/10/us-israel-sudan-south-idUSTRE7690PB20110710 Israel recognizes South Sudan, offers economic aid] ''Reuters'', July 10, 2011</ref>
On 9 July 2011, South Sudan officially gained its independence from [[Sudan]]. Israel recognised its independence the following day,<Ref>http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2011/Cabinet_communique_10-Jul-2011.htm</ref> during a weekly [[Government of Israel|cabinet]] meeting.<ref name=isrCabinetRecComm /> [[Israeli Prime Minister]] [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] told his cabinet that "I announce here that Israel recognizes South Sudan. We wish it success. It is a peace-seeking country and we would be happy to cooperate with it in order to ensure its development and prosperity."<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/10/us-israel-sudan-south-idUSTRE7690PB20110710 Israel recognizes South Sudan, offers economic aid] ''Reuters'', July 10, 2011</ref>


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On July 28, after an Israeli delegation visited the South Sudanese capital of [[Juba]] the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that Israel would establish full diplomatic relations with South Sudan and the practical aspects, such as accrediting ambassadors, would be discussed through the diplomatic channels.<ref name=fullDepRecIsrForMin />
On July 28, after an Israeli delegation visited the South Sudanese capital of [[Juba]] the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that Israel would establish full diplomatic relations with South Sudan and the practical aspects, such as accrediting ambassadors, would be discussed through the diplomatic channels.<ref name=fullDepRecIsrForMin />


In August 2011, South Sudan's president, [[Salva Kiir]], told a visiting Israeli delegation that included MK [[Danny Danon]], that Sudan planned to establish its embassy in [[Jerusalem]].<ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201108300226.html South Sudan: Gov't Vows to Establish Embassy in Jerusalem And Not Tel Aviv]</ref>
In August 2011, South Sudan's president, [[Salva Kiir]], told a visiting Israeli delegation that included MK [[Danny Danon]], that Sudan planned to establish its embassy in [[Jerusalem]].<ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201108300226.html South Sudan: Gov't Vows to Establish Embassy in Jerusalem And Not Tel Aviv]</ref>On December 20, 2011, Kiir visited Israel and expressed his gratitude for its support during the [[First Sudanese Civil War]] in 1956–1972.<ref>[http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/12/20/183573.html Al Arabiya, 12/20/2011]</ref> In a meeting with Israeli president [[Shimon Peres]], he reiterated his intention of opening an embassy in Jerusalem. <ref>[http://www.danielpipes.org/10486/south-sudan-israel-allies Daniel Pipes 01/03/2012]</ref>


==Economic ties==
==Economic ties==

Revision as of 14:05, 9 February 2012

Israeli-South Sudanese relations
Map indicating locations of Israel and South Sudan

Israel
South Sudan

Israel – South Sudan relations refers to the bilateral ties between the State of Israel and the Republic of South Sudan.

Israel recognised South Sudan on 10 July, 2011, a day after South Sudan became an independent state.[1][2] On 15 July, South Sudan announced that it intended to have full diplomatic relations with Israel.[3] On 28 July, Israel announced that it had established full diplomatic ties with South Sudan.[4] At the moment ties are primarily economic, though the political facet is an integral feature. Haim Koren is the first and current Israeli ambassador to South Sudan.

History

Relations between the two entities began in the late 1960s, when leaders of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army, waging an insurrection against the North, and impressed by Israel’s victory in the 1967 Six-Day War, reached out to Israel.[vague] Visiting Israel was a punishable offense in Sudan; southerners thus maintained ties[vague] with Israel at great personal risk.

A large South Sudanese diaspora in Israel advocated for ties to be formalised,[when?] and the Israeli government found ways to engage constructively with the regional government of South Sudan, mainly through Mashav, the international cooperation division of the Israeli Foreign Ministry.[5] Non-governmental organisations also played a critical role.[vague] The American Jewish Committee's Africa Institute visited South Sudan in 2008 to meet with government officials and learn of ways in which the diaspora in Israel might be involved in state-building efforts in preparation for South Sudan's independence. The Africa Institute also introduced senior members of the South Sudanese leadership to officials in the Israeli Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[5]

Diplomatic relations

On 9 July 2011, South Sudan officially gained its independence from Sudan. Israel recognised its independence the following day,[6] during a weekly cabinet meeting.[1] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet that "I announce here that Israel recognizes South Sudan. We wish it success. It is a peace-seeking country and we would be happy to cooperate with it in order to ensure its development and prosperity."[7]

On 15 July, South Sudan reciprocated, citing a desire for international peace.[8] This is considered a significant boon to Israel, as it has never had official diplomatic relations with Sudan.[8]

On July 28, after an Israeli delegation visited the South Sudanese capital of Juba the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that Israel would establish full diplomatic relations with South Sudan and the practical aspects, such as accrediting ambassadors, would be discussed through the diplomatic channels.[4]

In August 2011, South Sudan's president, Salva Kiir, told a visiting Israeli delegation that included MK Danny Danon, that Sudan planned to establish its embassy in Jerusalem.[9]On December 20, 2011, Kiir visited Israel and expressed his gratitude for its support during the First Sudanese Civil War in 1956–1972.[10] In a meeting with Israeli president Shimon Peres, he reiterated his intention of opening an embassy in Jerusalem. [11]

Economic ties

Israel has offered economic help[vague] to South Sudan.[2][3]

Israeli businessman Meir Greiver founded the South Sudan Development Company Ltd. with the intent of setting up business opportunities for Israelis in South Sudan. He said that "the sky is the limit to the money-making potential of the world's youngest country." He also said that "Very simply put, the country is open and ready to be built from the ground up. The [ruling] North never invested in the South, didn't develop it and now there's a great deal to do there." He cited such reasons as "years of official neglect of South Sudan's infrastructure by the ruling North has left the new country with a desperate need for infrastructure, roads, airport, hospitals, electrical infrastructure and more. The United States, Europe, and the World Bank are planning on funneling very large amounts of money to the development of South Sudan, and the country has large amount of oil and natural resources of its own that are waiting to be utilised and which will help the country move forward.There will be many different sources of money, from the World Bank, the European Union, the United States, and elsewhere flowing into South Sudan and the potential to make money in many different fields is enormous. They have gold, uranium; some also say there is some aluminum. It is absolutely a place where things can be done. Also, because the salaries are so very low, I think that many Israeli businessmen who send their manufacturing and textile work to China could do it there instead, that's one example." He called on Israeli companies to hasten the move to South Sudan "before the Chinese, Europeans and others get in and take these opportunities."[12]

Refugees in Israel

Main article: Sudanese refugees in Israel

About 2,800 refugees from South Sudan reside in Israel. The vast majority of them arrived to Israel through the Israeli-Egypt border, and most live in Tel Aviv, Arad, Eilat [13] and Bnei Brak.[14][15] Despite controversy in Israel over their presence, the Supreme Court of Israel decision from 13 January 2011,[16][17] the employers of refugees and asylum seekers will not be fined; thus, de-facto, they can legally work in Israel.

After the Israeli recognition of South Sudan on 10 July 2011, Israeli Interior Minister Eli Yishai called on Israel to immediately begin negotiations with South Sudan in order to return the thousands of Sudanese refugees and migrant workers who had crossed into Israel illegally in the past several years.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Cabinet Communique (10 July 2011 meeting)" (Press release). Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 10 July 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  2. ^ a b William, Dan (10 July 2011). "Israel recognizes South Sudan, offers economic aid". Reuters. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  3. ^ a b Aboudi, Sami (July 15, 2011). "South Sudan will have relations with Israel-official". Reuters. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c Ravid, Barak (28 July 2011). "Israel announces full diplomatic ties with South Sudan". Haaretz. Retrieved 28 July 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |newspaper= (help)
  5. ^ a b "AJC Applauds Israel-South Sudan Diplomatic Ties". AJC. 30 July 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  6. ^ http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2011/Cabinet_communique_10-Jul-2011.htm
  7. ^ Israel recognizes South Sudan, offers economic aid Reuters, July 10, 2011
  8. ^ a b "South Sudan will have relations with Israel-official". Reuters. July 15, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  9. ^ South Sudan: Gov't Vows to Establish Embassy in Jerusalem And Not Tel Aviv
  10. ^ Al Arabiya, 12/20/2011
  11. ^ Daniel Pipes 01/03/2012
  12. ^ Hartman, Ben (11 July 2011). "Potential to make money in South Sudan is 'enormous'". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 21 July 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |newspaper= (help)
  13. ^ Refugees background paper
  14. ^ Ultra-Orthodox town of Bnei Brak moves to evict migrant workers
  15. ^ When Africa Comes to Israel
  16. ^ בג"צ קבע: אסור לקנוס מעסיקי פליטים
  17. ^ Supreme court resolution
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