![Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 5 September, 2012 [Utenriksdepartementet UD/Flickr]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2012_9_5-Netanyahu7948878612_87e0108e70_o.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, met yesterday the Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, in Jerusalem for talks on boosting bilateral cooperation, Anadolu Agency reported.
“The two leaders held a private meeting, then an extended one where they discussed deepening cooperation between the two countries in various fields,” a statement by Netanyahu’s office said.
During the two leaders meeting, Netanyahu hailed Rwanda’s stance in abstaining from voting against Israel at several United Nations (UN) forums. “We see how you stand up for Israel in international forums,” Netanyahu said, noting that “bilateral relationships should be reflected in multilateral forums.”
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Rwanda is slated to begin serving as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, which Israel sees as a hostile body.
“There is a dissonance between us and a few other nations still,” the Israeli PM added.
With Rwandan President @PaulKagame. He was one of the people who assisted me with the process of strengthening Israel-Africa ties. Welcome! pic.twitter.com/oCzY403RUC
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 10, 2017
On his part, Kagame thanked Netanyahu for “the opportunity to reaffirm & deepen the friendly relationship between Israel & Rwanda.”
“We are looking forward to reinforcing our cooperation with Israel on common challenges and issues of mutual interest,” he added.
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Kagame, who visited Israel in 2008, pointed out that the relationship between the two countries has prospered in the areas of technology, agriculture, energy and security. “Rwanda is open for business and we look forward to welcoming private sector delegations from Israel even more frequently in the future,” the Rwandan leader stressed.
Netanyahu visited East Africa last year, including Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Liberia, and has committed to re-visit the African continent for the third time “soon.”
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