Israel’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Avraham Neguise, was expelled on Monday April 7 from a conference on the Rwandan genocide, organized by the African Union in Addis Ababa, following tensions over the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
According to a statement from Israel’s Foreign ministry, Neguise was removed after several member states refused to participate in the event alongside him. The expulsion has further strained relations between Israel and certain African nations, particularly in light of recent developments in Gaza.
The Israeli foreign ministry condemned remarks made by Mahmoud Youssouf, the newly-elected chairperson of the African Union Commission, during the conference. It described his comments as an attempt to introduce anti-Israel political elements into a solemn event meant to commemorate the victims of the Rwandan genocide. The ministry labelled Youssouf’s actions as “outrageous,” highlighting the inappropriate nature of such remarks at a gathering focused on remembering historical atrocities. This incident marks a continued diplomatic setback for Israel’s position within African multilateral forums.
The expulsion of Israel’s ambassador coincides with ongoing violence in Gaza, where the Israeli military has renewed its assault, killing over 1,400 people and injuring thousands more since March 18. The death toll from the Israeli onslaught on Gaza since October 2023 has surpassed 50,700, with a significant proportion of casualties being women and children. These developments have led to calls for accountability, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for Israeli officials on charges of war crimes, and the International Court of Justice hearing a genocide case related to Israel’s actions in the region.