Netanyahu Scores Diplomatic Breakthrough At West Africa Summit

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By Dave Goldiner June 4, 2017

Benjamin Netanyahu scored a diplomatic breakthrough when he attended a summit of West African states — and held a series of meetings with leaders.

The Israeli premier jetted into Liberia for a historic speech to the gathering of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), chalking up a new success in an effort to woo countries that have been hostile to the Jewish state.

“Israel is coming back to Africa in a big way,” Netanyahu said, trumpeting a series of meetings with leaders, including some with Muslim majorities.

He boasted that Israel was on its way to ending African nations’ knee-jerk support for the Palestinians at the United Nations and other international forums.

Along with diplomatic meetings, Netanyahu signed a raft of agreements designed to expand business and aid cooperation with countries in the region, especially in the field of combating desertificaion.

Netanyahu has spearheaded a push to improve ties with Africa, where some states, especially in East Africa, see the Jewish state as a powerful economic partner and a friend in the battle against radical Islamic groups.

Dave Goldiner is the Forward’s director of digital media. Dave is a veteran journalist who has spent two decades working at newspapers in the United States and Africa. A native New Yorker, Goldiner wrote for the New York Daily News, where he covered some of the biggest stories of our time, including the attacks of September 11, along with thousands of stories of hope and heartbreak. He also studied and worked in Southern Africa and has written for publications in South Africa and Zimbabwe. He holds masters degrees in journalism and public administration from Columbia University. Dave can be reached at goldiner@forward.com, or follow him on Twitter @davegoldiner

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