Chad opens embassy in Israel

Chad inaugurated an embassy in Israel on February 2, four years after the establishment of official ties between the two countries.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued pictures of him inaugurating the new embassy in Ramat Gan, a suburb of Tel Aviv, at a ceremony alongside Chadian President Mahamat Deby, Xinhua reports.

Netanyahu said he was hopeful that the opening of the new embassy will strengthen further the bilateral ties with the Muslim-majority African country.

"We are strengthening our friendship and our common interests in pursuing peace, security and prosperity," the prime minister said, adding that he and Deby had "excellent discussions" on February 1.

The diplomatic relations between Israel and Chad began in the 1960s but were terminated by Chad in 1972 after the Israeli-Palestinian Middle East war in 1967. Chad reversed its stance in 2018 when late Chadian President Idris Deby arrived in Israel and met with Netanyahu. The two countries announced the resumption of diplomatic ties in 2019 during Netanyahu's visit to Chad.

Netanyahu, who returned to power in late December, has pledged to increase the number of Arab countries that recognize Israel, despite the ongoing impasse and frequent escalation of violence with the Palestinians.