The relationship between Israel and Africa has been characterized by dramatic shifts, unparalleled in Israel’s relations with other continents. When most African nations gained independence in the 1960s, Israel was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with them and offer wide-ranging assistance, hoping that these friendly relations would help to end its isolation in the region. Israeli embassies operated in 33 countries south of the Sahara. Thus, there was tremendous disappointment when nearly all African countries broke off diplomatic relations during and after the Yom Kippur War. In the 1980’s, Israel began to return to Africa and today has relations with 40 states. Aryeh Oded, who has served as Israeli ambassador to several African countries, analyzes the reasons for these radical changes, basing his work on primary sources and personal experience.

Swahili is one of the most widespread languages in the world, spoken by some 100 million people in East Africa and neighboring countries. The Organization of African Unity (today African Union) decided that Swahili would become the common language of all of the 53 countries in Africa, and it is taught in many universities. The authors of this book have taught Swahili in the Hebrew University and Tel Aviv University, and drew upon their experience to write this first Swahili textbook especially for Hebrew speakers. It is meant to be used as a basic text by students, businesspeople, diplomats and tourists, both in academic settings, or in individual study.

In this account, diplomatic historian, Moshe Yegar, describes how the Political Department of the Jewish Agency in Jerusalem gradually developed relations with both the British Authorities and the Arab leadership in Palestine and neighbouring countries during the 30 year rule of the British Mandate that ended with Israel's independence in 1948.

During the years 1989-1991, Israel renewed its diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Poland and Czechoslovakia —  relations that were severed following the Six Day War. Added to this was Albania, with whom Israel established diplomatic relations for the first time. During  those years Israel’s representatives conducted conversations with officials of East Germany towards the possibility of  establishing diplomatic relations  between them.  .Thiswas not realized due to East Germany’s refusal to recognize its part in paying reparations to Israel for its role in the persecution of Jews during the Nazi regime and as a result of the unification process of Germany that began to show signs of being on the horizon.

(Available in Hebrew and English)

Nazi Germany's foreign policy towards the Soviet Union was carried out in accordance ith ideological and political objectives.  These were defined and planned well in advance, with a view to a final confrontation for the domination of Europe.  This policy regarded "Jewish Bolshevism" as the main obstacle to securing victory in the coming confrontation, hence its rise and fall constituted a yard-stick in the formulation of Germany's relationship with the Soviet Union.  Soviet diplomatic activity was aimed at thwarting the German threat to Soviet territorial integrity and its political regime.  By putting ideological principles to one side, betlittling the danger of Nazi anti-Semitic policy for Jews themselves and for free Europe in its entirety, and dismissing Jews from senior positions in the Soviet hierarchy, they hoped to save off the conflict.  From both the German and the Soviet perspective, the Jewish factor was significant.  The purposed of this book is to assess its place and influence upon the mutual relations between the two countries in the years 1933-1941. 

The book was originally published in Hebrew by the Magnes Press of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1986.  This edition includes additional material subsequently published in Russia and newly revealed Soviet archival sources which were unavailable at the time the Hebrew edition went to press.

(Availlible in Hebrew and English)

During the 1960’s, Uganda was the African country in which Israel activities were the widest in diverse areas, including civil and military-security. Thousands of Ugandans participated in continuing education programs in Israel, and hundreds of Israeli experts were dispatched to Uganda.

In March 1972, Uganda’s President Idi Amin expelled all the Israelis from Uganda and severed diplomatic ties with Israel. During the course of the year and afterwards in 1973, almost all other African nations severed diplomatic ties with Israel. This was a difficult and painful blow to descend upon Israel’s foreign policy.

This book examines the development of the relationship between Israel and Ugandaas a case study of the changes that occurred in Israel’s relationship with African countries over the past 40 years however, the Ugandan vicissitudes were the most serious. The author examines the reasons that led to this situation and investigates the lessons that were learned and the lessons that still need to be learned from the bitter experience in Uganda in order to establish our relationship with African countries on a more stable foundation. The book provides an overview on Israel-Africa relations and the combined progression in the texture of the relationship between Africa andIsrael in general.

The author was involved in the development of relations with Uganda from the start and continued in dealing with the Ugandan issue within the framework of his work inIsrael’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, even during the period when diplomat relations were cut off. Oded took part in the efforts that brought about the renewal of relations with this country in 1994. The overview of the developments is based on his personal experiences and on first hand sources.