Leaders Hold Talks in Jerusalem as Kinshasa and Tel Aviv Seek Deeper Cooperation in Security, Agriculture, Technology and Investment
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met with Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi in Jerusalem, with the two leaders agreeing to strengthen economic and security relations between their countries.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, September 1, marks another step in the developing relationship between Israel and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as both governments seek to expand cooperation across a range of strategic sectors.
Netanyahu welcomed Tshisekedi as a “good friend” and described the relationship between Israel and the DRC as a strong friendship that the visit would help deepen further.
The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, with security and economic cooperation identified as key areas for expansion.
BROADENING BILATERAL COOPERATION
The relationship extends beyond security. Discussions and engagements surrounding Tshisekedi’s visit have included cooperation in agriculture, food security, water, healthcare, technology, innovation and investment.
Tshisekedi said the two countries maintain long-standing ties that they want to strengthen, while highlighting the potential for a broader and mutually beneficial partnership.
The Congolese president also met Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who hosted him at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.
Herzog said Israel places significant importance on its relationship with Africa and expressed support for greater cooperation with the DRC, particularly in areas connected to development and humanitarian needs.
SECURITY COOPERATION
Security remains an important component of the growing relationship.
The DRC continues to face serious security challenges, particularly in its eastern provinces, where armed groups have contributed to prolonged instability.
Against this backdrop, cooperation with Israel could include areas such as security technology, training and other forms of security expertise.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also held discussions with DRC Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner during the visit. The talks included strengthening security and economic relations and the implementation of the peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda.
ISRAEL-DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO RELATIONS
The latest talks build on efforts in recent years to deepen diplomatic relations between Israel and the DRC.
The two countries have a long diplomatic history, although their relations were severed in 1973 following the Yom Kippur War and later restored in the early 1980s.
Under Tshisekedi, cooperation has expanded in areas including agriculture, technology and security.
In 2023, Netanyahu and Tshisekedi announced plans involving the opening of an Israeli embassy in Kinshasa and the relocation of the Congolese embassy to Jerusalem, although the planned diplomatic moves have faced delays.
LOOKING TOWARD A BROADER PARTNERSHIP
The latest meeting signals an effort by both countries to move their relationship beyond traditional diplomacy and toward practical cooperation in areas with direct economic and strategic significance.
For the DRC, stronger partnerships with countries possessing expertise in technology, security, agriculture and infrastructure could support its broader development ambitions.
For Israel, closer engagement with the DRC forms part of its wider effort to strengthen relations across Africa.
The two governments have yet to announce a major new commercial agreement arising directly from the Netanyahu-Tshisekedi meeting, but the commitment to expand economic and security ties provides a framework for further negotiations and cooperation.
As both countries pursue the next stage of their relationship, attention will now turn to whether the latest diplomatic commitments translate into concrete investments, security cooperation and development projects.
