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Rabat – As international condemnation of Israel’s military aggression in Gaza grows, pro-Israel groups are seeking to reshape public opinion in Africa. In a bid to counter widespread pro-Palestinian sentiment across the continent, three pro-Israeli organizations recently convened their first parliamentary summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The summit gathered approximately 30 African MPs from 25 countries, all with the shared objective of shifting Africa’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The two-day event, spearheaded by Thinc, Allies of Israel, and the Africa-Israel Initiative, aimed to challenge what they describe as a biased narrative in international law and media coverage regarding the ongoing conflict.
According to the organizers, the current global discourse disproportionately condemns Israel, with resolutions from bodies like the United Nations and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) fueling what they see as a “legal war” against the country.
“International law is being misused in these discussions,” said Hon. Erik Selle, founder of the Africa-Israel Initiative and a key figure behind the summit. “Just because certain voices are amplified in the media doesn’t mean they represent a fair or accurate perspective. We believe it’s crucial to revisit what international law actually says about Israel’s situation.”
The summit focused heavily on the perceived imbalance in the global narrative, particularly in Africa, where pro-Palestinian sentiment dominates both at the public level and within the African Union (AU).
The AU has consistently condemned Israel’s actions, with countries like South Africa taking a firm stance against what they describe as Israeli aggression. South Africa recently took steps to bring Israel before the ICJ on charges of genocide.
Read also: Israeli Airstrike on Gaza ‘Safe Zone’ Killed 40 Palestinians, Dozens Injured
At the Addis Ababa summit, many attendees were already aligned with Israel’s position. Most participants were members of the Allies of Israel Foundation, an organization that emphasizes Judeo-Christian values in its defense of the Israeli state.
Religious leaders present at the summit, such as Bishop Dennis Nthumbi, argued that the conflict is more than political—it is spiritual.
“We see the war against Israel as a war against God’s authority,” Nthumbi said. “Our faith, as taught in the Bible, reinforces our belief that supporting Israel is aligned with divine will.”
Despite the summit’s efforts, the broader African continent remains largely unconvinced by pro-Israeli arguments. The AU continues to denounce Israel’s actions, especially taking issue with the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
According to Gaza health authorities, over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 94,000 others have sustained various injuries since Israel launched its murderous assault on the Palestinian enclave in October last year.
In one of the most devastating recent strikes, 40 people were killed yesterday in Khan Younis when an airstrike targeted tents housing displaced families.
While the Addis Ababa summit signals a concerted effort to shift this perspective, it is clear that the pro-Israeli groups face an uphill battle in changing deeply rooted opinions across Africa.
