Delegation from Chad to meet with Netanyahu, Ashkenazi
Israel and Chad broke off relations in 1973, following the Yom Kippur War, when 30 African states cut ties with Israel.
By LAHAV HARKOVIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is greeted by Chad's President Idriss Deby upon his arrival in N'Djamena, Chad January 20, 2019(photo credit: KOBI GIDEON/GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)
A senior delegation from Chad arrived in Israel on Tuesday to promote ties between the countries.The delegation is led by Deputy Director of Chad's civil cabinet Abdelkerim Idriss Déby, who is also the son of Chad's President Idriss Déby. He is set to meet with his Israeli counterpart, National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat.Déby is also expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen and others.Israel and Chad broke off relations in 1973, following the Yom Kippur War, when 30 African states cut ties with Israel.The countries renewed relations in 2018, and Chad's president visited Israel later that year. Netanyahu went to Chad the following year.Chad, which has been engaged in a yearslong battle with the Boko Haram terrorist group, seeks Israeli arms and security and intelligence expertise, as well as water-use technology and better ties with the US.For Israel, ties with Chad reinforces the message sent by normalizing relations with the UAE and Kosovo, that Muslim states can cooperate with Israel even when there is not peace with the Palestinians.In addition, a month after Déby's 2018 visit to Israel, Chad abstained on a UN vote condemning Hamas, which the country would have likely opposed in the past.Herb Keinon contributed to this report.
