Israeli President Isaac Herzog will visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia this week, becoming the first Israeli president to visit the latter country, his office announced on Sunday.
The 24-hour state visit, which will begin on Monday comes as Jerusalem increases diplomatic outreach to tens of millions of Christian supporters in Africa.
Herzog will hold meetings with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and other senior officials, focusing “on the international challenges of this time, strengthening Israel’s standing in the international arena, deepening bilateral diplomatic relations, and advancing regional and global cooperation,” the statement said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar opened an Israeli embassy in Lusaka, Zambia on Aug. 20, more than three decades after the two countries reestablished ties, as part of ongoing efforts to expand and deepen Israel’s ties with African countries.
Earlier this month, a delegation of 30 senior African Christian leaders from 10 countries across the continent visited Israel on a religious and political mission, in the latest blast of faith-based diplomacy.
The visit highlighted anew the growing diplomatic tug-of-war between supporters and opponents of the Jewish state in Africa. While South Africa has emerged as one of the fiercest critics of Israel worldwide, other African countries have pushed back and are now further strengthening ties rooted in a mix of shared interests and faith.
