Israel Signals Deeper Cooperation with Ethiopia

(MENAFN) Israel on Monday described Ethiopia as a “long-term strategic partner” after talks between Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Ethiopian State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hadera Abera Admassu, signaling closer cooperation at a time of heightened regional disputes.

Admassu arrived in Israel for a visit of unspecified length, according to officials.

Posting on US platform X, Sa’ar said the two leaders held a “great meeting,” stressing that Tel Aviv aims to “further strengthen ties” with Addis Ababa. “We discussed mutual challenges in our regions,” he added.

The talks come as Ethiopia faces escalating friction with Egypt, Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea over contested borders, water security and maritime access.

At the center of the disputes is Ethiopia’s determination to continue operating and filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River without a binding accord with downstream nations Egypt and Sudan. Addis Ababa has also pressed for access to the Red Sea for both trade and military purposes.

The diplomatic engagement follows Sa’ar’s recent trip to a breakaway Somali region bordering Ethiopia. Israel’s recognition of that territory as a state in late December triggered sharp condemnation from Arab and Islamic countries.

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