Mkaka in Israel, delivers message on decision to open Malawi embassy in Jerusalem: Chakwera to pay State visit
- Malawi is to become the first African country to open an embassy to Israel in disputed Jerusalem
- Malawi has had diplomatic ties with the Jewish state since 1964 but without opening an embassy
Minister of Foreign Affairs Eisenhower Mkaka is in Israel where he has formally informed the government there that Malawi is to become the first African country to follow the US example and open an embassy to Israel in the disputed city of Jerusalem.
The UN Security Council resolution does not recognise the city as Israel’s capital due to a long standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The African Union (AU) has also previously passed several anti-Israel resolutions.
But President Lazarus Chakwera is firm that Malawi should establish a diplomatic mission in Jerusalem, saying his decision was not new in foreighb policy as Malawi, during the one-party regime of founding president Hastings Kamuzu Banda, also had diplomatic ties with Israel until 1994 when Israel’s residential base moved from Lilongwe to Harare.
Mkaka on Tuesday met his Israel counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi and delivered a message from President Chakwera on the decision to open a Jerusalem embassy, expected by summer 2021.
Speaking to reporters Mkaka said he Malawi has had diplomatic ties with the Jewish state since 1964 but without opening an embassy.
Mkaka said Malawi’s relationship with Israel has “stood the test of time” and that President Chakwera will soon pay a visit to Israel.
Malawi is a “pioneer,” and the decision to open embassy in Jerusalem is “further proof of the ties between the country and the widening of the circle of peace,” Israle Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi saidto reporters as quoted by The Jerusalem Post
“Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the State of Israel, will be a bridge of peace for the whole world, and I call on more countries to follow in Malawi’s path and move their embassies to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel,” he said.
Ashkenazi committed to have an Israeli development expert posted in Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital, and to introduce courses for Malawi from MASHAV, the Foreign Ministry’s development agency.
Breaking with longstanding diplomatic practice, US President Donald Trump in December 2017 recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moved the US embassy to the city in May.
Israel considers the holy city its eternal capital, but Palestinians want east Jerusalem, seized in a 1967 Middle East war, as part of a future state.
If you do not realize how much of a serious mistake this is, take note that the special envoy to the Palestinian president came to Malawi to protest the decision to open that embassy in Jerusalem. Partisan politics aside, the government did not make the right decision here.
Ndalemba bwinobwino apa koma mumuona wina akudzanditchula kuti chitsiru.
Join disscution
I feel sorry for the diplomats who will be sent to Jerusalem. Some will come back in coffins. This is not a threat but real fact. Malawi cannot fight the state of Palestine. With MCP in power Malawi is sliding towards the Kamuzu Banda era foreign policy ie being against the resolutions of the AU and UN. But things have changed since Kamuzu Banda left the political scene. Dr Chakwera please listen to dissenting views.
Chokani mbuli za DPP inu
People are entitled to an opinion,just cause they have an opposing view,doesn’t make them them wa Dpp if they are ,there’s nothing wrong in that.i happen to be wa “ Congress/utm,yes we are sovereign nation,but I feel there are issues closer to home ,biggest being ,putting the wrongs of that wretched,looting Dpp to right,be it roads,schools,hospitals,water ,electricity,security ,housing for our police,army,health workers,school staff,building markets for our vendors, massive unemployment,corruption stopping of unprecedented looting at capital hill,we have got huge issues to be worried about ,fine go ahead,establish diplomatic relations with Israel,but priorities the needs of the rural and urban people.… Read more »
Extremely bad move. The whole of Africa, ochenjera tikhale ife? Why not ask other countries why they haven’t done it. Do the benefits really outweigh the costs? We are small fish and can’t afford to play big boy games. Why not open where everyone else has the embassies?
Are you them? Are you South Africa, Are you Zimbabwe? This is Malawi for Malawians!
this called so sniper is an idiot and less educated i am an mcp young generation in politcs of accommodating different views not labelling
people.
Get a job or do business than spending whole day commenting rubbish
and the sniper whats that idiot.
Boko haram has entered the group chat. ukaziputa limba.
well done malawi. proud of my vote
I’m against the idea of opening embassy in Jerusalem on the following premises. 1. Yes Malawi is sovereign country, but we succumb to international laws aswell. UN council resolution and AU doesn’t recognise Jerusalem as capital of Israel. With this are against these organisations or we have opted out of the resolutions? 2. This decision will lead into troubles we will regret as a nation for the rest of our life, you know there is enmity between Palestine and Israel right?Allies of Palestine of which most of them are isis will decend on us (a defenceless nation) you will be… Read more »
Will descend on us, in your version what can be the reason? abakha inu, kalimeni Nandolo
The main problem ndi a Malawi lakuti timaona ngati chilichonse chomwe atsogoleri athu akunena mchabwino. If you have opposing views mwati kuukira no no no we are in democracy
Kumeneko ndiye kukhala. Kumadziwa angakhale mnzanga ndani. Ulimi ndi zina tipita patsogolo ndi zomwe ANgwazi amachita kalero. This is restoration at its best. Tonse Alliance, VIVA – VIVA VIVA!!! Asakufuna apeze kolowera
Chakwera is blinded by the light. This is a divisive move. Malawi is not a Christian state. This move is sending a wrong message to all peace loving people. Indeed Chakwera is blinded by the light.
Lets do this! God bless Malawi and bless Israel!