The government of Uganda has vowed to support the State of Israel, which is regarded by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the biblical Holy Land.
This declaration by the State Minister of Finance, David Bahati was made on Thursday during a meeting the Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, (Israel Parliament), Hon. Yehiel Hilik Bar had with Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga in the capital, Kampala.
Ms Kadaga used the opportunity to urge Israelis to visit Uganda for religious tourism. A statement from Parliament shows that Ms Kadaga highlighted the Uganda Martyrs, killed on the orders of the Kabaka of Buganda in the late 19th Century, who are celebrated on 3rd June every year.
“This visit is an opportunity for us to further our relations. I encourage you to visit Uganda for religious tourism,” said Kadaga. “We have the Uganda Martyrs, who were killed for their religion. Every year we have a huge celebration, but the Israelis have been missing out from this celebration,” she said.
This meeting notably comes at a time a Isreali nationals face restrictions in movement. A German court ruled on Thursday that Kuwait Airways had the right to refuse to carry an Israeli passenger due to his nationality, a verdict that Jewish groups said condoned antisemitism.
International media sources report that the Frankfurt state court said the airline was merely respecting the laws of Kuwait, a country that does not recognize the state of Israel, and said it was not up to a German court to rule on Kuwaiti law.
At present, a total of 32 United Nations member states do not recognize or generally / partially do not maintain diplomatic relations with the State of Israel: 19 of the 21 UN members in the Arab League.
Hon. Yehiel Hilik thanked Uganda for “standing by Israel.”
He said Uganda and Israel have a shared history since the Israeli raid on Entebbe, which is now taught in school because it claimed the life of one of the country’s heroes, Yonatan Netanyahu, brother to Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
“That’s why we feel too close to the people of Uganda,” said Hilik.
He, according to the statement from Parliament, reiterated Israel’s quest for peace with her neighbours, saying that having signed peace pacts with Egypt and Jordan meant that the same can be done with Palestine.
He however said that until that happens, the country needs all the support from other countries including Uganda at international fora.
“I hope one day it happens. Some countries do not appreciate our right to exist (as a country). We appreciate your support and standing by Israel,” said Hilik.
Minister Bahati “called for regular updates about issues on which Israel needs support from Parliament and government during international meetings.” Hon. Col. Felix Kulaigye (UPDF) also attended the meeting.
aaron@ugchristiannews.com
