Israel and South Sudan have pledged to deepen cooperation in a range of sectors after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar met his South Sudanese counterpart, James Pitia Morgan, in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations, with Sa’ar highlighting Israel’s humanitarian support for South Sudan as the country continues to receive thousands of people fleeing the conflict in neighbouring Sudan.
Sa’ar said Israel, through MASHAV, its Agency for International Development Cooperation, would continue assisting South Sudan in responding to the refugee crisis while expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
“We continue to expand meaningful cooperation with South Sudan in many fields,” Sa’ar said, thanking Juba for its support for Israel in international forums.
Morgan described Israel as South Sudan’s “best friend in the world” and praised its long-standing support for the East African nation.
He said South Sudan valued Israel’s achievements in innovation, technology, agriculture, water management, healthcare, education and national development, and expressed hope that the two countries would translate their political ties into stronger economic and development cooperation.
“We highly appreciate Israeli support and its remarkable achievements in innovation, technology, agriculture, water management, healthcare, education and national development,” Morgan said.
Morgan also noted that South Sudan had recently awarded a state honour to Israeli veteran David Uri Ben-Uziel, more than five decades after he led a Mossad mission that supported southern Sudanese rebels seeking autonomy during the first Sudanese civil war.
Israel and South Sudan have maintained close diplomatic relations since South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011. Israel was among the first countries to recognise the new nation and has supported development projects in agriculture, water management and capacity building.
Last year, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel visited South Sudan, becoming the first Israeli government representative to make an official visit to the country.
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