Deep Dive: Israeli President Herzog visits Ethiopia to strengthen bilateral ties

From a geopolitical lens, Herzog’s visit to Ethiopia represents Israel's strategic outreach to Africa amid shifting global alliances. Israel has historically sought partnerships in the Horn of Africa to counterbalance influences from rivals like Iran, while Ethiopia views Israel as a key player in technology transfer and security cooperation. This engagement fits into broader power dynamics where Israel diversifies its diplomatic portfolio beyond traditional Western allies, navigating Red Sea security concerns influenced by regional tensions in Sudan and Somalia. As an international correspondent, the cross-border implications extend to trade, migration, and humanitarian flows. Ethiopia's large Jewish community, the Beta Israel, has deep historical ties to Israel, with over 100,000 airlifted in operations like Moses and Solomon in the 1980s and 1990s, creating enduring people-to-people links. Strengthening ties could facilitate agricultural tech exports from Israel to Ethiopia's drought-prone highlands, impacting food security, while joint ventures in water management address shared Nile Basin challenges affecting downstream Egypt. Regionally, Ethiopia's Amhara, Oromo, and Tigray cultural contexts frame this as a pragmatic move by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to leverage Israeli expertise post-Tigray conflict, fostering economic revival in a multi-ethnic federation. Key actors include Israel's Foreign Ministry pushing 'Africa strategy' and Ethiopia's AU membership amplifying its continental clout. Implications ripple to the Arab world, where normalization deals like Abraham Accords indirectly pressure anti-Israel stances, and to global powers like China, whose Belt and Road investments in Ethiopia now face competitive Israeli innovation hubs. Looking ahead, this visit signals potential for defense pacts amid Houthi threats in the Red Sea, benefiting Israeli shipping routes and Ethiopian port ambitions at Berbera. Stakeholders from U.S. Africa Command to Gulf states watch closely, as enhanced Israel-Ethiopia bonds could reshape Horn of Africa stability, influencing migration routes to Europe and energy corridors to Asia.