Pod Save America Hosts Call on Democrats to Cut All Israel Military Aid, No Longer Accept AIPAC Funding
Jews, Israelis Targeted in Austria Amid Surge in Antisemitic Incidents; Local Jewish Community Calls for Action
‘All of Our Strength’: Over 1,000 Pro-Israel Activists Gather in DC for Solidarity Conference
‘Devastated’: Wesley LePatner, Killed in Manhattan Mass Shooting, Was a Jewish Communal, Philanthropic Leader
Sen. Angus King Vows to No Longer Vote for Israel Military Aid Until Gaza Conditions Improve
Europe Won’t Pressure Israel to ‘Commit Suicide’ Amid Gaza Backlash, Palestinian State Push, Says Israeli FM
Israel’s National Soccer Coach Attacked in Athens Before Soccer Fans Chant ‘F–K Israel, Free Palestine’ at Match
New York Judge Sentences Neo-Nazi to 5 Years for Livestreaming Bomb Threats Against Jewish Hospitals
US Pressures Lebanon to Issue Cabinet Decision to Disarm Hezbollah Before Talks Continue
UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Meets Conditions, Starmer Says
Algeria Forms African Union Bloc Opposed to Israel’s New Observer Status: Report
Error: Contact form not found.
by Algemeiner Staff
Ambassador of the State of Israel to Ethiopia, Burundi & Chad, Alelil Admasu (left) meeting with African Union Chairperson H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat. Photo: African Union Commission
Algeria has reportedly formed a bloc of African countries working to remove Israel’s new observer status in the African Union (AU).
London-based media outlet the New Arab reported that the opposition bloc is composed of 14 members led by Algeria, including South Africa, Tunisia, Eritrea, Senegal, Tanzania, Niger, Comoros, Gabon, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Mali, and the Seychelles.
Botswana and Namibia have expressed opposition to Israel’s observer status, but have not officially joined the bloc.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra said granting Israel observer status is illegitimate because it was done without consulting other member states.
Algeria, he said, will “not stand idly by in front of this step taken by Israel and the African Union without consulting the member states.”
“The African Union’s acceptance of Israel as an observer member aims to strike the stability of Algeria, which stands with Palestine and just causes,” he added.
Algeria is also pushing for an amendment to the AU charter that would prevent any country outside Africa itself from being granted special status, the outlet said.
Lamamra is set to visit Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, and Ethiopia to push Algeria’s initiative.
Israel announced last month it would receive observer status in the 55-member AU, after nearly 20 years outside the group.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said at the time, “This corrects the anomaly that has existed for almost two decades and is an important part of strengthening the fabric of Israel’s foreign relations. It will help us strengthen our activities on the African continent and with the member states of the organization.”
