On a landmark visit to Lusaka, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar inaugurated Israel’s embassy in Zambia, pledging deeper ties, cooperation in health, agriculture, and security — while praising President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership.
In a historic step to bolster Israel’s ties with Africa, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar inaugurated Israel’s new embassy in Zambia during his diplomatic visit to Lusaka, where he held high-level talks with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe.
The visit marks a renewal of diplomatic relations that had been quietly building since President Hichilema’s 2023 visit to Israel, where he proposed the idea of reopening an embassy. Sa’ar described the moment as “the beginning of a new chapter between our nations — an alliance of believers in ancient traditions, based on the Bible.”
Praising Zambia’s president for his “moral vision” and “respected leadership,” Sa’ar emphasized the symbolic and strategic significance of this partnership:
“Opening our embassy here will strengthen bilateral relations and our strategic engagement with Africa. Zambia always had and has a place in our heart since its establishment over 60 years ago.”
Sa’ar also announced a series of Israeli initiatives to support Zambia, including:
- Establishing a trauma and emergency medical unit in a hospital in Livingstone.
- Training hundreds of Zambians annually in agriculture, water management, and food security.
- Expanding cooperation in technology and development sectors.
The discussions in Lusaka also touched on the ongoing war in Gaza, underscoring Israel’s effort to keep African partners aligned amid global diplomatic challenges.
Sa’ar framed the visit as part of a broader foreign policy strategy for 2025, aiming to cement Israel’s engagement with Africa. “Opening our embassy here in Zambia is one of the cornerstones of that vision,” he said.
The opening of the embassy in Lusaka is more than a diplomatic milestone — it is a sign of Israel’s determination to build enduring partnerships across Africa, rooted in shared values, security cooperation, and development.
