Tanzania and Israel agree on security cooperation as part of improving safety in East Africa
Tanzania’s President John Magufuli has urged Israel to consider initiating direct Dar es Salaam – Tel Aviv flights to boost both economic relations and tourism.
The president said the flights would go a long way in improving bilateral relations between the two countries and cementing the long standing amity.
The president raised the request at the turn of the week when he hosted a diplomatic envoy from Israel at the State House in Dar es Salaam.
The Israel envoy, led by the Israel Defense Minister, Avigdor Lieberman welcomed the bid and reassured the president on Israel’s commitment to strengthening relations between the two countries.
President Magufuli also issued a general welcome to Israel investors to capitalize in agriculture, mining and gas sectors.
The two parties agreed on prompt signing of proposed cooperation agreements between Tanzania and Israel in security, police training and other security organs.
Israel’s Lieberman welcomed the president’s call and reassured him that Israel is also very eager to strengthen relations with Tanzania.
Israel - Tanzania Diplomatic Relations
Israel does not have an embassy in Tanzania, all embassy issues are handled from neighbouring Kenya and now President Magufuli wants that to change.
This means that, persons seeking travel visas or any other embassy matters, are forced to travel to Kenya to the Israeli embassy there.
In lure of the meeting with, the President took the opportunity to send a message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He asked his envoy to invite the Premier not only to establish an embassy in the country but to also visit in person.
Back in 2014, media reported Israel plans to open a fully-fledged embassy in Dar es Salaam ‘…to make it easier for visa processing and boosting trade between the two nations.’
The resumption of the diplomatic relations will mean the development of political and economic ties. Tanzania was among the first nations to establish diplomatic ties with Israel after it won its independence in 1963 –
Israel – Tanzania Security Partnership
A central agreement during their closed door meeting was for Tanzania and Israel to work together in defense and security and to share vital security intelligence, the two parties told a press conference.
Tanzania’s Minister for Defense and National Security, Dr Hussein Mwinyi and Israeli’s Avigdor Liberman agreed on Israel sharing military technology with Tanzania, conducting troop training and improving cyber and inter-territorial security.
Amid tight security at Ngome premises, the ministers said they had agreed to cooperate in defence and security issues at the same time sharing crucial intelligence information to combat rising cases of transnational organised crime, including terrorism.