Colonial benevolence: technology for Africans, death for Palestinians

A few years ago, enticing South America to do business with Israel was one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s priorities, justified, among other things, by an urge to improve relations with the region before Iran “infiltrated”. The focus has now shifted to Africa, with both Netanyahu and Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon seeking to entice African countries to strengthen political and economic ties.

During a recent event hosted by Danon, attended by Netanyahu and 15 African leaders who were in New York for the UN General Assembly, Israel presented several technological innovations designed to aid developing nations. This took place even as Palestinians are intentionally deprived of basic necessities, let alone technological innovations, in ways which should make the UN rethink the definitions of genocide and ethnic cleansing, given the consequences of Israel’s overtly violent policies.

“Israel’s diplomatic and economic ties with Africa and the developing world are undergoing momentous growth,” said Danon, “and we are encouraging Israeli companies to continue to invest in these important markets.”

Eliminated from the rhetoric regarding Israel’s scramble for Africa is the history of colonisation and subsequent interventions under various guises which have rendered the continent subservient to several powers sharing a common intent. Israel is, of course, an ideal candidate in the race, benefiting from the fact that the international community prefers to treat Israel as a country rather than an illegal colonial presence in Palestine. In addition, dependency as a consequence of colonial violence provides the main reason behind such a convenient deal. Technological innovations will be used as a substitute for African autonomy, while Israel reaps undeserved recognition for allegedly aiding poor African countries while killing and displacing Palestinians to complete its own colonial expansion.

Netanyahu’s rhetoric was much less refined, although it is also an indication of Israel’s manipulation at an international level. With reference to the event hosted last week as well as other meetings during his latest visit to the UN, Netanyahu declared “an unprecedented blooming” of Israel’s international relations, reported the Times of Israel. The brief article also quoted Netanyahu as stating that his recent visits to Africa and the event in question are “part of the strategy of forging these new alliances and breaking a traditionally pro-Palestinian voting bloc.” Such developments in international relations, according to Netanyahu, “will end the absurdity of the ‘double standard’ against Israel”, a pointed reference to the UN.

While the UN thrives upon double standards, in the same way that Israel does, its dedication to preserving Israeli colonialism has been unflinching. Clearly, obliterating Palestine is proving to be profitable for Israel, the UN and the international community, since universal rights have long degenerated into the selective bestowing of privileges. There was no need for Israel to invest in Africa in order for Netanyahu to claim that days of the alleged anti-Israel bias at the UN are numbered. Diplomatically, the forging of ties with African countries and intended political gains from such dealings may provide a semblance of evolving strategy. However, any attempted efforts to portray such an occurrence as a hard-earned procedure is unlikely to resonate, given that there is absolutely no effort on behalf of either the West, the UN or affiliated institutions even to try to conceal their favouritism towards the Zionist state. Palestinians, meanwhile, become further ensconced in the vacuum between life and memory. Africans may well be getting technology from Israel; all that Palestinians get is hi-tech death and destruction.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.