Ethiopia-Palestine Relations: A Complex Dynamic

Nov 07, 2025 0

The relationship between Ethiopia and Palestine is multifaceted, shaped by historical solidarity, evolving strategic interests, and the broader context of African nations navigating global conflicts. This article delves into the historical ties, recent developments, and the delicate balancing act Ethiopia faces in its relations with both Palestine and Israel.

Historical Context

African responses to the Israel-Palestine conflict have been varied. Some nations, like Kenya, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Togo, have shown strong support for Israel. Conversely, traditional allies of Palestine, such as South Africa, Tunisia, and Algeria, have reaffirmed their long-standing allegiances.

During the mid-20th century, the alignment between Ethiopia and Israel was largely driven by common strategic concerns, particularly the shared threat posed by Nasserist Egypt. Beginning in 1959, Israel prioritized the establishment of strong ties with Ethiopia, investing significant resources into this relationship. Throughout the 1960s, many of Israel’s senior military and security officials visited Ethiopia, underscoring the importance of the relationship.

In March 1963, Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin spent a week in Ethiopia, meeting with Emperor Haile Selassie, his ministers, and military leaders. Their visit reflected Israel's strategic interest in Ethiopia, particularly in relation to the Blue Nile, “where the life of Egypt begins,” as Peres put it.

Peres wrote a forty-page top secret report on Ethiopia and Israeli interests that contained this excerpt:

"Ethiopia’s intelligentsia is far larger than that in other African countries, but its poverty is African. The land is ethnically diversified, but most groups are under the hegemony of one, the Amharas. The country, however, is in a transitory stage... Ethiopia is a large and important country, it is neither Arab nor Muslim. Christians are the majority and they are filled with a deep historical sense in whose heart Israel features squarely. Ethiopia is situated south of Egypt and holds the key to Egypt’s very future, for it controls the Blue Nile... It is our goal to reach an alliance with Ethiopia-cultural, economic, and military."

Shifting Alliances and Strategic Considerations

In the early 1960s, Israel started helping the Ethiopian government in its campaigns against the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF). The Ethiopian government portrayed the Eritrean rebellion as an Arab threat to the African region, an argument that convinced the Israelis to side with the Ethiopian government in the conflict. Israel trained counter-insurgency forces, and the Governor General of Eritrea, Asrate Medhin Kassa, had an Israeli Military Attaché as his advisor.

In 1969, the Israeli government had proposed the formation of an anti-Pan-Arab alliance consisting of the United States, Israel, Ethiopia, Iran, and Turkey. Ethiopia rejected the proposal.

At the end of the October/Yom Kippur War, on October 23rd, Haile Selassie severed Ethiopia's ties to Israel. In the wake of this decision, nearly 100 Israeli advisers, businessmen, and diplomats departed. During the Ogaden War, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Moshe Dayan publicly acknowledged that Israel had been providing security assistance and arms to Ethiopia.

In 1989, formal diplomatic relations were reinstated. During the 1990s, Israeli-Ethiopian relations grew stronger. According to the New York Times, Israel supplied 150,000 rifles, cluster bombs, ten to twenty military advisers to train Mengistu's Presidential Guard, and an unknown number of instructors to work with Ethiopian commando units. In return for this aid, Ethiopia permitted the emigration of the Beta Israel.

Read also: England Caps for Dele Alli

Trade relations between Ethiopia and Israel have grown over the years. The following year, Jerusalem and Addis Ababa negotiated another agreement whereby Israel provided agricultural, economic, and health assistance.

Ethiopia's Balancing Act

Ethiopia’s abstention from a UN resolution is not an isolated event. By withholding its vote, Ethiopia signaled neither endorsement nor opposition. Diplomats in Addis Ababa framed the abstention as an effort to balance historic solidarity with the Palestinian cause and the country’s growing strategic ties with Israel and the United States, both key partners in security and technology.

Ethiopia will have to balance diplomatic concerns - including a 160,000-strong community of Ethiopian-Israelis - with expectations that it will follow the UAE. The Emirates have become an increasingly important bilateral partner since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018, with the two governments significantly strengthening ties, signing 17 cooperation agreements this year alone.

Ethiopia maintains a diplomatic presence in the State of Palestine through its embassy, located primarily in the West Bank, with an official mission reflecting Ethiopia’s commitment to fostering bilateral relations. The embassy serves to strengthen diplomatic ties by facilitating trade, cultural exchanges, and political dialogue between Ethiopia and Palestine.

In recent years, Ethiopia has reiterated its support for the Palestinian cause. However, it also recognizes the importance of maintaining strong relations with Israel, particularly in areas such as security and technology.

Read also: A Cultural Christmas in Morocco

Ethiopia-Israel relations are foreign relations between Ethiopia and Israel. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations in 1992. During the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie, Israeli advisers trained paratroops and counterinsurgency units belonging to the Fifth Division (also called the Nebelbal, 'Flame', Division).

The African Union and the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Tensions over the Israel-Palestine issue have previously spilled over into the African Union (AU). Israel was controversially granted observer status by the AU Commission Chief in 2021 - despite strong opposition by several AU member states. But in February 2023, opponents struck back, removing Sharon Bar-Li, Israel’s senior delegate, from an AU gathering in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Despite this incident, Israel maintains diplomatic relations with 46 African states and has been making concerted overtures to build influence on the continent, as it seeks to counter Iran’s renewed engagement with Africa. Indeed, Israel has become an attractive partner on account of its advanced defence industry and high-tech intelligence capabilities.

This focus on security cooperation has been a key driver of Israel’s overtures to West Africa in particular: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became the first ever non-African head of state to address the ECOWAS summit in June 2017. Since then, the Sahelian instability has provided an entry point for Israel to position itself as a key partner in military and intelligence cooperation.

Economic and Geopolitical Implications

With the continent still reeling from higher commodity prices resulting from the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, the situation in the Middle East risks exacerbating global macroeconomic instability. News of the renewed Israel-Palestine conflict sent shockwaves through global markets.

Further complicating Africa’s stance is the accession of Ethiopia and Egypt to BRICS in August. Israel has strong ties with individual BRICS members, including Russia, China and India. The outbreak of conflict represents a key test for the effectiveness of the expanded BRICS bloc.

Remaining African members South Africa and Ethiopia risk getting caught up in these divergent stances, which may complicate the route to any decisive action. South Africa’s post-apartheid government remains a strong Palestine ally, despite its population having diverse ties to Israel.

Country	Position on Israel-Palestine Conflict
Kenya	Supportive of Israel
Ghana	Supportive of Israel
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)	Supportive of Israel
Togo	Supportive of Israel
South Africa	Ally of Palestine
Tunisia	Ally of Palestine
Algeria	Ally of Palestine
Senegal	Measured statements, calling for restraint
Nigeria	Measured statements, calling for restraint

In conclusion, the relationship between Ethiopia and Palestine is influenced by a complex interplay of historical ties, strategic interests, and the evolving geopolitical landscape. Ethiopia's approach reflects a delicate balancing act aimed at maintaining its diplomatic and economic interests while navigating the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict.