AFRICA - Leaders React to Israel’s War Against Hamas
In Africa, leaders have been reacting to the conflict since [7 October 2023’s] surprise attack, condemning Hamas’ assault. However, their responses reveal divisions among the continent on the source of the conflict and who is to blame.
Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tanzania “mourns” with the families of Israelis and Palestinians who lost their lives, saying “We condemn all forms of violence … We call for restraint to stem further loss of human life.”
African Union (AU) Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed “utmost concern” at the outbreak of violence that has had “grave consequences” for the lives of Israeli and Palestinian people.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League Council at the headquarters in Cairo to discuss the deteriorating situation, saying the Kingdom of Morocco “expresses deep concern” while condemning the “attacks against civilians wherever they may be.”
In Tunisia, citizens took to the streets to rally for Palestine. The U.S. Embassy in Tunis said it would close for routine services in an “abundance of caution,” adding that it received no credible threat.
In eastern Africa, Kenya’s President William Ruto “unequivocally” condemned terrorism by Hamas, adding Kenya stands in solidarity with the State of Israel.
South Africa has also called for the cessation of violence, adding the region is in urgent and “desperate need of a credible peace process.”
South Africa also urged resumption of talks on a two-state solution.
Nigeria called for a “de-escalation and ceasefire” through dialogue, adding it was “deeply concerned” by the outbreak of violence.
-abcnews.go.com, 13 October 2023
Arno's Commentary
The reaction to the murderous attack by Hamas on Israel, is not the same as after the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Gate.com notes: “…in 1973, during and after the Yom Kippur War, in an unexpected and severely disappointing move, almost all African countries severed their diplomatic relations with Israel.”
The article also notes that in 1960, Israel operated 33 embassies on the continent of Africa. Interestingly, the article states that during those days, “Israel was a major ‘donor’ in Africa.”
We must point out that Israel as a nation was born in the land of Egypt in Africa. We also know that as an infant, our Lord was taken to Egypt to be protected from King Herod the murderer. Almost 3,000 years ago, the prophet Hosea proclaimed: “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt” (Hosea 11:1). That has a double fulfillment: for the nation Israel in the Exodus, according to Exodus 4:22; and in the New Testament regarding the world Redeemer, in Matthew 2:15: “And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.”
Arno Froese is the executive director of Midnight Call Ministries and editor-in-chief of the acclaimed prophetic magazines Midnight Call and News From Israel. He has authored a number of well-received books, and has sponsored many prophecy conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. His extensive travels have contributed to his keen insight into Bible prophecy, as he sees it from an international perspective.
