The Ethiopian Consul General in Jerusalem formally informed Mrs. Golda Meir, Israel’s Foreign Minister, today of the Ethiopian Government’s decision to accord full recognition to Israel.
The Foreign Ministry said in a communique that the notification was received “with sincere joy and profound satisfaction,” Mrs. Meir asked that Israel’s good wishes be conveyed to the Emperor and the people of Ethiopia.
Special significance was given here to the Ethiopian decision because of the fact that strong Arab pressure had been exerted for several years against any such action by Ethiopia. The move also was viewed as an indication of the stability of the present regime.
The recognition also reflected the many-faceted relations which have been established between the two countries. A number of Israeli missions are at work in Ethiopia in various fields, including farming, development, fishing, construction, education, public health and other areas. An Israeli staff directs the Ethiopian government hospital at Massawa and a technical college at Adis Ababa. Commercial relations also have been expanding.
Another indication of Ethiopian-Israeli relations was the disclosure today that Professor Moshe Rachmilewitch, Dean of the Hebrew University Medical School, went to Addis Ababa last week to check the health of the Empress. The Dean was the guest of Emperor Haile Selassie at a dinner. Details of the invitation and trip were disclosed today after the medical expert’s departure from Adis Abaoa.
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