Sun, 05 Mar 2017 09:59:10 +0000 Israel’s renewed ties with Zambia Dear Editor, PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu’s statement that Zambia wanted to renew cooperation with Israel in the area of health is a breath of fresh air that most Zambians have been awaiting for far too long. It is worth mentioning that the diplomatic relationship which Zambia severed with Israel in solidarity with Arab and other African countries in 1973 remains one of the most unfortunate things to ever happen to Zambia. Let’s begin with the historical context that produced it (“Israel, Zambia to renew ties”, Daily Nation, March 3, 2017). First, the 1973 oil crisis began in October 1973 when the members of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries proclaimed an oil embargo. The embargo was a response to American involvement in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Six days after Egypt and Syria launched a surprise military campaign against Israel, the US supplied Israel […]
