Israel and South Sudan have pledged to expand cooperation after Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar hosted his South Sudanese counterpart James Pitia Morgan in Jerusalem, in a meeting that signals growing ties between Tel Aviv and Juba.
The visit comes as Israel continues to face international condemnation over its war on Gaza and amid previous reports that South Sudan had been discussed as a possible destination for displaced Palestinians from the besieged enclave.
In joint remarks, Sa’ar said Israel was providing assistance to South Sudan through MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, as the East African country struggles with a growing refugee crisis caused by the ongoing war in neighbouring Sudan.
Sa’ar said Israel would continue working to “expand meaningful cooperation with South Sudan in many fields,” while also thanking Juba for supporting Israel in international forums.
“We appreciate your support for Israel in international forums,” Sa’ar told Morgan.
Morgan responded by describing Israel as South Sudan’s “best friend in the world,” praising Israeli support in areas such as technology, agriculture, water management, healthcare, education and national development.
He said South Sudan hoped to turn its political relationship with Israel into “tangible economic and development outcomes.”
Israel seeks African allies
The warm exchange underlines the strengthening relationship between Israel and South Sudan, one of Africa’s youngest and most fragile states, which has faced years of conflict, displacement, political instability and economic hardship since gaining independence in 2011.
Morgan also highlighted South Sudan’s recent state honour for Israeli veteran David Uri Ben-Uziel, who led a Mossad mission more than five decades ago to support southern Sudanese rebels seeking autonomy during the first Sudanese civil war.
The reference points to Israel’s long-running strategic interest in parts of East Africa and the Red Sea region, where Tel Aviv has sought political alliances, security influence and diplomatic support.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel visited South Sudan last summer, marking the first official visit to the country by an Israeli government representative.
That visit came amid reports that Israel was involved in talks with South Sudan over the possible resettlement of Palestinians displaced by the war in Gaza.
Palestinian displacement concerns
Any such plans appear to have stalled, as Washington pushes ahead with efforts to shape postwar governance arrangements in Gaza, but the reports sparked alarm among Palestinians and rights advocates who warned against any attempt to permanently remove Palestinians from their land under the cover of humanitarian relocation.
Israel has repeatedly been accused by Palestinians and international rights groups of using the devastation in Gaza to advance forced displacement, while presenting such proposals as voluntary or humanitarian.
South Sudan’s closer relationship with Israel is therefore likely to draw criticism from supporters of Palestine, particularly at a time when much of the Global South has condemned Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and accused Tel Aviv of violating international law.
For Israel, stronger ties with South Sudan offer diplomatic value, especially as it seeks African allies willing to back or defend its position in international forums.
For South Sudan, the relationship offers access to Israeli expertise, aid and development support, but it also risks aligning Juba more closely with a state facing mounting global isolation over Gaza.
The meeting in Jerusalem highlights how Israel continues to build relationships with vulnerable states through aid, security links and development diplomacy, even as its actions in Palestine remain at the centre of international scrutiny.