Israel expects to regain diplomatic relations by year’s end with two more Black African states that severed them at the time of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, a senior Foreign Ministry official said Tuesday.
Benad Avital, director of the Ministry’s African Department, told Israel Radio that all told, six African nations have announced their intention to restore diplomatic relations with Israel. He did not identify the countries.
On Tuesday, Togo announced its decision to resume relations with Israel. The Togolese government said it based its decision on the precedence of Egypt which signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979. “Such relations are now normal and natural,” the government communique said, quoting President Gnassibinge Eyadema.
In all, 29 Black African countries broke with Israel 14 years ago and five have now restored relations. Togo followed Zaire, Liberia, Cameroon and the Ivory Coast.
Premier Yitzhak Shamir is scheduled to leave next week on visits to Liberia and Cameroon.
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