Recently, the news of the reopened Israeli Embassy in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, went viral. Zambians went agog, jubilating and singing Hatikvah, the Israeli national anthem, in the opening event in Lusaka. As reported on various international and local news outlets, the reopened embassy on August 20, 2025, marked a new beginning in the bilateral relationship between Israel and Zambia.
It would be remembered that the Israeli Embassy in Lusaka was closed 52 years ago, following the Organization of African Unity’s call for African nations to cut ties with Israel following the October 5th-25th Yom Kippur War of 1973, when Egypt and Syria led a coalition of some Arab nations against Israel. Anti-Israel narratives from Arab sources influenced some African countries, prompting them to swiftly close Israeli embassies within their borders.
Since then, it is no longer news that the Embassy of Israel was closed almost endlessly, for over five decades, in one of the struggling countries of Africa. However, what is noteworthy now is the sudden reopening of the embassy after 52 years! What brought about the reopening? Was Zambia losing something that it needed back from Israel? What prompted the embassy’s abrupt reopening?
From its very beginning as a new independent nation, Zambia had sought to establish a strong bilateral relationship with Israel in order to strengthen their country’s military and security. But the good news today is that Zambia has woken up from her slumber to recognize her mistake of taking sides with the Arab nations, many of whom now have growing diplomatic and bilateral relationships with the state of Israel. Thanks to the Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema’s diplomatic visit to Israel in 2023. It is strongly believed that a single visit changed everything that is happening in Zambia today.
The Jerusalem Post quoted Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, as saying, “This is a particularly moving moment to once again raise our flag—the flag of Israel—and hear Hatikvah here in Zambia after 52 years. This reunion is the beginning of a new chapter between the nations.”
The minister made the statement in Lusaka during the reopening of the five-decades-closed embassy. Many Zambians were not left out on the occasion, as the live footage of their Hatikvah song (Israeli national anthem) went viral both on social media and in the tabloids.
Moving forward, Zambia will now experience those visa and passport services, along with emergency assistance and cultural promotions, which were previously denied to its citizens when she boldly severed ties with a nation that was merely engaged in a fight for survival rather than a war of attrition. This new chapter in the Israel-Zambia relationship will signify the start of a lasting friendship and represent a renewed perspective on Africa’s sentiments towards Israel that will remain unbroken.
In my opinion, and similarly like majority of others, Israel does not exhibit the same level of political corruption found in many parts of Africa, where politicians are often extremely corrupt. Israel, as a nation, implements advantageous government policies and initiatives that benefit both its citizens and the global community. For example, Israel’s trade with Africa has seen significant growth, with total exports to the continent amounting to $685 million in 2021, as noted in the index report. These exports are primarily focused on six Sub-Saharan countries: South Africa, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda.
Unfortunately, Zambia was not on the list because she has not been there since 52 years ago to enjoy what these six African nations, who cannot deny the enormous, tremendous benefits of Israel’s relationship with their country. Furthermore, the decision by the Zambians to reopen the embassy of a nation that has great initiatives is to once again become a beneficiary of Israel MASHAV, as other African countries have been enjoying.
It is therefore a Clarion call for countries to strategically think about the future of their citizens and development needs by emulating Zambia’s decision to renew its stand with Israel again. In this regard, we would like to express our gratitude to the President of Zambia for his wise decision to guide his cherished nation in the right direction. The happiness of the good citizens of Zambia is limitless, as vividly shown in Lusaka, where they sang Hatikvah, the hope, representing their renewed optimism with Israel.