Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia, Avraham Neguise, was expelled on Monday from a Rwandan genocide conference in Addis Ababa.
The conference, organized by the African Union, aimed to commemorate the victims of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
Neguise’s expulsion followed a refusal by multiple member states to attend the event alongside him.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry condemned the move, calling it an “outrage” that, at a memorial for genocide victims, African Union officials introduced anti-Israel political rhetoric.
Mahmoud Youssouf, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, came under fire for his statements during the event. Israel criticized Youssouf’s remarks as an unwarranted politicization of a solemn occasion.
Neguise, a former lawmaker for Israel’s Likud Party, has served as the Israeli ambassador to Ethiopia since August 2024.
His expulsion marks a significant diplomatic setback, as Israel had only rejoined the African Union as an observer member in 2021.
This diplomatic incident follows a broader context of rising tensions, with ongoing violence between Israel and Gaza.
Since March 18, the Israeli army has resumed its deadly assault on Gaza, resulting in over 1,400 fatalities and worsening humanitarian conditions.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants against Israeli officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, further complicating Israel’s international standing.