ADDIS ABABA – Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia Raphael Morav said the bilateral relation between Ethiopia and Israel is flourishing in various sectors.
“The relations are very good, maybe even excellent. We are aiming higher and there is space to deepen and reinforce the relations,” the Ambassador told to local media.
The series of highest level official visits by leaders of the two countries have strengthened the bilateral cooperation among the two nations in the political arena, he said. Since the 2016 official state visit of Israel Prime Minister, the President of the State also visited Ethiopia in May 2018.
This September Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also visited Israel. These habitual look like visit tipped that the nations are in a “very open and close relations,” according to the Ambassador.
On the other hand, the Embassy launched a first of its kind of youth leadership project in the 12 session educational program at Safari and Andinet schools in Addis Ababa intended to inspire and motivate the future Ethiopian leaders focusing on social awareness, empowerment and social activism, it was learnt.
The ambassador added that these and other political relations are translated into good economic relations and his embassy is encouraging and working to bring more investment from Israel to Ethiopia.
“We believe that there is big potential and we [Israelis and Ethiopians] are not very distant from each other, it is easy for business people to come and go. We have two daily flights between the two countries.”
In terms of the corporation in development, he said, the Israelis investors are much engaged mainly in the agricultural sector where 80 percent of Ethiopians relying on for their livelihoods. In this regard, Israel has a rich proven experience so that the cooperation in this sector will strengthen Ethiopia’s effort to exploit its potential in the area, he stated.
In addition, senior Ethiopian horticultural experts are taking part in a tailor-made course on ‘Horticultural Crops Value Chain for Export’ organized in Israel by MATC – MASHAV Agricultural Training Center.
The course focuses on the avocado value chain and is part of MASHAV and USAID Ethiopia’s ongoing ‘Smallholder Horticulture Project’ held in cooperation with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture, a newsletter sent to The Ethiopian Herald indicated.
In related to health, a medical mission from Rabin Medical Center in Israel, led by Head of the Department of General Surgery Prof. Hanoch Kashtan, visited Ethiopia and collaborated with local physicians in Bahir Dar.
Composed of six Israeli physicians and nurses, the team conducted 17 surgeries in four days and held professional workshops for the medical and the nursing staff of Bahir Dar University Hospital, it was learnt.
The Israel Embassy also conducted two-day workshop on “Protective and Creative Tools in Treatment for Special Needs Children”. The Workshop held by experts and students from the Israel Sapir College together with Allstar Psychological Services Center in Addis Ababa.
The renovated of Bete-Israel Cemetery around Dabat, Amhara Region is another indication that the bilateral relation of the two nations is also socially deep.
The site is a milestone work to restore and preserve the long-lasting heritage of Jewish presence in Ethiopia and demonstrates the unique historical connection between Jews or Israel and Ethiopians.
The site is located in the former Bete-Israel village of Gane-Shelame, 15 minutes ride from Dabat. Ambassador Raphael Morav took part in the inauguration ceremony of the renovated Bete-Israel Cemetery, it was learnt.
The Ethiopian Herald April 7/2020
BY YOHANES JEMANEH
