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| Netanyahu Uses Historic Africa Trip to Highlight Global Terror Threat. (Image: AP) |
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began an historic visit to the continent of Africa.
For the first time in nearly 30 years, a sitting Israeli prime minister visited Africa. Netanyahu met with the leaders of seven African nations.
"The historic summit that will be held later today between the leaders of seven African countries and Israel testifies to the dramatic changes taking place in the relationship between Israel and Africa. Africa is a continent on the rise. Israel looks forward to strengthening ties with all its countries," Netanyahu said.
The prime minister's visit came 40 years to the day on the anniversary of the Israeli raid on the Entebbe Airport in Uganda. Considered one of the most daring commando operations in history, an elite Israeli unit freed 94 hostages and 12 crew members from Palestinian terrorists who commandeered an Air France flight and diverted it to Entebbe.
The anniversary held special meaning for Netanyahu. His brother, Yonatan, was the sole Israeli commando killed during the raid. Netanyahu said civilized nations must rededicate themselves to the spirit of Entebbe, a spirit of daring and resolve and a spirit determined as ever to defeat terror.
"At Entebbe, international terrorism suffered a stinging defeat," Netanyahu told participants at the ceremony. "The rescue mission proved that good can prevail over evil, that hope can triumph over evil, over fear."
"Today, savage terror is once again sweeping the world," he continued. "We must recognize that the battle against it is indivisible. When terrorism succeeds in one place, it spreads to other places. And when terrorism is defeated anywhere, it is weakened everywhere."
After the ceremony, Netanyahu held a "counter-terrorism" summit with the seven African nations. Many are looking to Israel to help them confront radical Islamic terrorism within their countries.
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