Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Kenya on Tuesday promising a new era in relations with Africa.
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“This is a deeply moving day for me”, he said. Netanyahu laid a wreath at a plaque marking the rescue.
On his part, President Kenyatta welcomed the move saying that the future of Kenya-Israeli partnership is bright and will bring more development and improved security for Kenyans.
Netanyahu’s tour began in Uganda, where he marked the 40th anniversary of the Israeli special rescue mission in which his brother, Yonatan, was killed while trying to rescue the hostages.
A lingering loathing of Amin, who was accused of many human rights atrocities and who died in Saudi Arabia in 2003, is one reason why many Ugandans today do not see the success of the Israeli raid – in which many Ugandan soldiers were killed and military equipment destroyed – as a disaster for Uganda.
The plane that flew the Israel Commandos on the night of July 4th 1976. During the operation, Kenya allowed Israeli forces to use its airspace, refuel and treat injured hostages.
“There are few like him in history, and Entebbe is always with me”.
Following wars between Israel and its neighbours in 1967 and 1973, north African nations led by Egypt put pressure on sub-Saharan African states to cut ties with Israel, which many did.
Netanyahu is now on a four-nation tour of Africa, where he is seeking to restore and strengthen ties with the continent.
Relations were also not helped by Israel’s friendship with the apartheid regime in South Africa before its fall in 1994.
He said the leaders discussed a number of issues especially security and economic cooperation during their closed door meeting which he described as long and thorough.
After the commemoration event at Entebbe airport, Netanyahu held a mini regional summit at the State House Entebbe that was also attended by President Paul Kagame.
“The phenomenon of Israel’s economic success remains a global inspiration and speaks to many countries, including this one”, he said, emphasizing Kenya’s natural resources, young population and strategic location as an access point to an African market of more than 600 million people. The State of Israel has changed that.
“This will give opportunities to the two countries expand their bilateral activities and add value to both Kenya and Israel”, the businessman added.
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Companies sending executives with Netanyahu include Elbit Systems Ltd., the country’s biggest publicly traded defense contractor; Netafim Ltd., which makes irrigation systems; Magal Security Systems Ltd., a specialist in perimeter security at airports; Israel Chemicals Ltd., a fertilizer producer; and dronemaker Aeronautics Ltd.
