Israel, Ethiopia Must Unite Against 'Shared Threat' of Terrorism, Says Foreign Minister

JERUSALEM - Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called for a joint effort with Ethiopia to combat terrorism, describing it as a "shared threat" during a press conference with his Ethiopian counterpart, Gedion Timotheos, in Jerusalem on Thursday.

“Terrorism is a shared threat to our peoples,” Sa’ar said, highlighting the rise of radical Islamic terror groups affecting both regions. “We are witnessing Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, jihadists in Syria, and Al-Shabaab in Africa. Terror must be eradicated.”

Sa’ar drew attention to the growing ties between Somalia’s al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab militants and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have escalated attacks on Israel since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault.

The Houthis, who have launched hundreds of missiles and drones targeting Israeli civilians over the past year, threatened on Thursday to resume strikes on Israeli vessels in Middle Eastern waters. The group cited Israel’s decision to halt aid trucks entering Gaza amid an unstable ceasefire with Hamas as a provocation.

“Ethiopia plays a critical role in combating the Al-Shabaab,” Sa’ar said, noting that the group “collaborates with the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, further destabilizing the region.” He accused the Houthis of disrupting global trade routes and threatening to block Israeli ships from the Red Sea, calling them “a threat to Israel, Africa, and the global order.”

The press conference marked Timotheos’s visit to Israel, which Sa’ar described as the beginning of an initiative to strengthen ties with African nations. He hailed Ethiopia as “one of the leading countries” in the region and emphasized the deep historical connection between the two nations, dating back to biblical times.

“Israel’s community of immigrants originally from Ethiopia is a central part of Israeli society, integrated into all walks of life,” Sa’ar added, underscoring the cultural bonds underpinning the relationship.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Sa’ar plans to make a reciprocal visit to Ethiopia in the near future, signaling a commitment to deepening diplomatic and security cooperation.

The remarks come as Israel navigates heightened regional tensions, with ongoing conflicts involving Hamas and Hezbollah, and as Ethiopia contends with security challenges posed by Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE