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Roundup: Israeli Prime Minister visits Rwanda to strengthen ties

Xinhua, July 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in the Rwandan capital of Kigali Wednesday as part of a tour of four African countries -- Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

Upon Landing at Kigali International Airport at around 10:00 a.m. local time, Netanyahu accompanied by his wife Sara Netanyahu were received by the Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his wife Jeanette Kagame.

The Israeli leader was greeted by an honor guard detachment mounted by Rwandan defense forces, and later told reporters his trip is about rebuilding ties with Africa.

At his arrival, Netanyahu headed to Kigali Genocide Memorial centre to honor the victims of the 1994 genocide.

Together with President Kagame and their spouses, the Israeli PM laid a wreath to mass graves of genocide victims at the memorial centre.

The two leaders later witnessed the signing of bilateral agreements between Rwanda and Israel before addressing a joint news conference.

The bilateral cooperation agreements signed are in the areas of visa exemption for holders of diplomatic passports, joint declaration of intent on innovation and agriculture.

"We believe that Africa is a continent on the rise and our partnership with African countries including Rwanda will mutually benefit our people and Africans," Netanyahu told reporters.

He stated that Israel and Rwanda share tragic histories, Holocaust and Genocide, but they have managed to pick up the pieces and they have become success stories of development.

"I am in Africa because it is a continent on the move. I believe that in the past it was not given the place it deserves," Netanyahu said.

"To fight genocide denial, we have to tell the truth. It is an ongoing battle. We need to insist on stopping this hate propaganda. We must know that no one will defend you if you don't defend yourself. The Genocide and Holocaust that we've both suffered taught us that we must have the capacity to defend ourselves at whatever cost," he stressed.

His host, Rwandan President Paul Kagame reiterated the point.

"We must put in place measures to deal with genocide denial upfront. We have to build our capacities bearing in mind that we can't afford to have people committing Genocide and Holocaust again," said the Rwandan president.

Kagame stated that Rwanda and Israel enjoy cordial bilateral relations and the visit was a great moment for the two nations.

Netanyahu's visit started at Entebbe Airport, Uganda, that coincided with the 40th anniversary of his government's raid on the same airport in 1976 to rescue hostages taken by Palestinian terrorists who had been allowed by then Ugandan President Idi Amin to land in Entebbe.

On this first leg of his historic visit to Africa, Netanyahu attended on Monday a summit of regional leaders on countering terrorism in Uganda.

In June 2014, Rwanda signed a partnership agreement with Israel that established a forum for consultations between the two nations, and boosts Rwanda's foreign direct investments from Israeli businesses.

Netanyahu will conclude the visit to Africa in Ethiopia on Thursday. Endit