Israel–Namibia relations

Israel - Namibia relations

Israel	Namibia

Israel–Namibia relations refers to the current and historical relationship between Israel and Namibia. Governmental relations were established in 1994, four years after Namibia gained independence from South Africa. Israel's ambassador to Namibia, Dov Segev-Steinberg, resides in South Africa. While Namibia does not have an embassy in Israel, it has an honorary consul, Gil Dankner, based in Atlit, with jurisdiction over the Haifa region.

Prior to Namibian independence, Israel's policy towards Namibia was that of official silence. A number of high profile Israeli leaders visited the then occupied territory. Members of the South African administration of Namibia also visited Israel.

Namibia gained independence in 1990 and the two governments opened bilateral relations in 1994.

In January 2008, Prime Minister of Namibia Nahas Angula received a fax which claimed to be from the United States House of Representatives. It asked Namibia to vote more favorably for Israel at the United Nations. The United States embassy in Namibia would neither confirm nor deny the authenticity of the letter.

In January 2009, during the Gaza War, Namibia condemned Israel, saying, "This naked aggression and disproportionate use of force by Israel is unfortunate and only leads to further escalation of violence". Namibia does recognise the State of Palestine.

Israeli companies are heavily invested in Namibia's diamond industry. In 2004, Africa Israel Investments through subsidiary LLD Diamonds, was given 36 concessions worth US$ 180 million by the Namibian government in order to invest in Namibia's diamond industry. As of 2005, LLD Diamonds operated the largest diamond cutting center in Africa. Based in Windhoek, Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba called the factory a success story in Namibia's drive to attract Foreign Direct Investment.

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