Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hosted Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Addis Ababa on Monday, a meeting that reaffirmed the deep historical and strategic bonds between Ethiopia and Israel while charting a path for expanded cooperation.
The discussions, described by Abiy as “productive,” underscored a relationship rooted in ancient history and shared interests, now poised to advance in agriculture, technology, and regional security.
The ties between Ethiopia and Israel trace back over 3,000 years to the legendary meeting of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, a connection cherished by both nations and evident in Ethiopia’s Christian pilgrims and Israel’s Ethiopian Jewish community.
This historical bond, symbolised by the Beta Israel (Ethiopian Jews), was strengthened in the 20th century through strategic alignment. In the 1950s and 1960s, Israel prioritised Ethiopia as a key ally in the Horn of Africa, driven by shared concerns over Nasserist Egypt’s regional ambitions, particularly regarding the Blue Nile.
Israeli military advisers trained Ethiopian paratroops and counterinsurgency units under Emperor Haile Selassie, while high-level visits, such as those by Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin in 1963, cemented ties. Despite a brief rupture in diplomatic relations in 1973, prompted by Arab pressure and promises of financial aid, military cooperation persisted discreetly.
During the Ogaden War (1977–1978), Israel provided arms and training to Ethiopia, and in the 1980s, it facilitated the emigration of thousands of Beta Israel during Operations Moses and Solomon, partly in exchange for military support.
Relations were fully restored in 1992, and since then, trade and technical exchanges have grown. Israel imports Ethiopian sesame, coffee, and spices, while Ethiopia benefits from Israeli expertise in agriculture and defence systems.
Prime Minister Abiy, in a social media post, highlighted the “historical roots and ancient connections” that now span economic, political, diplomatic, and social spheres. His 2019 visit to Israel, where he met then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, focused on boosting trade and exploring cybersecurity and space technology.
The 2025 meeting with Sa’ar built on this momentum, with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos emphasising Israel’s agricultural innovations, particularly water-saving technologies like drip irrigation, which have transformed Ethiopian avocado exports. Sa’ar, in turn, praised Ethiopia’s strategic role in promoting peace in the Horn of Africa, expressing Israel’s eagerness to deepen economic ties through a business delegation accompanying him.
The talks also addressed shared security concerns, including terrorism, a mutual threat in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. Ethiopia’s interest in Israeli technology aligns with its broader modernisation efforts under Abiy, who has prioritised economic reforms and regional diplomacy, notably his Nobel Peace Prize-winning peace deal with Eritrea in 2018.
For Israel, Ethiopia’s influence in the African Union and its strategic location near the Red Sea make it a vital partner, especially amid tensions over regional waterways like the Nile.
Sa’ar’s visit, welcomed by State Minister Berhanu Tsegaye at Bole International Airport, included engagements with senior officials and a business forum to explore investment opportunities.
This diplomatic push reflects a mutual commitment to elevate a historic partnership into a strategic alliance, leveraging Israel’s technological prowess and Ethiopia’s regional clout. As Abiy and Sa’ar reaffirmed, the Ethiopia-Israel relationship, grounded in millennia of shared history, is poised to shape a future of innovation, security, and sustainable development.
Sources: ENA, JPost, Ethiopian Herald
