Israel–Mauritania relations

Israel and Mauritania relations refers to the historic and current bilateral relationship between Israel and Mauritania. In 1999, Mauritania became the third member of the Arab League—after Egypt and Jordan—to recognize Israel as a sovereign state.[1][2] The two countries established full diplomatic relations in October 1999.[3]

Israel-Mauritania relations
Map indicating locations of Israel and Mauritania

Israel
Mauritania

However, as a response to the Gaza War (2008–2009), relations were frozen since 2009.[4][5]

History

Mauritania declared war on Israel as a result of the 1967 Six-Day War,[6] following the Arab League's collective decision (Mauritania was not admitted to the Arab League until November 1973[7]), and did not reverse that declaration until 1991.[6] For some 32 years until about early 1999, Israelis were seemingly oblivious to the ongoing state of war.[6]

Mauritania did not abide by moves to recognize Israel's right to exist in the same way as most other Arab countries, after the earlier 1967 Khartoum Resolution.

Little public information exists as to the state of war,[8] and it has been inferred that the declaration of war had been reversed by 1999 from:

  • behind the scenes meetings between Mauritania and Israel in 1995 and 1996 said to be at the instigation of Mauritania's President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya;[9][10]
  • the establishment of unofficial "interest sections" in the respective Spanish embassies in 1996 in the two capital cities,[9] leading to;
  • the official exchange of diplomatic representatives in each other's countries from 27 October 1999.[11]

In 1999 Mauritania became one of three members of the 22-member Arab League to recognize Israel as a sovereign state (the others being Egypt and Jordan).[12] This official recognition was given by former President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya along with his cooperation with United States anti-terrorism activities. The establishment of full diplomatic relations was signed in Washington D.C on October 28, 1999.[13]

After the coup by the Military Council for Justice and Democracy in August 2005 that ousted President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya, recognition of Israel was maintained.[14][15][16]

As a response to the Gaza War, relations were frozen with Israel in January 2009.[17][18] In February 2009, Mauritania recalled its ambassador from Israel,[12] and on 6 March 2009 staff were evicted from the Israeli embassy in Nouakchott, and given 48 hours to leave Mauritania.[19] Israel officially closed the embassy later in the day, according to an announcement by its Foreign Affairs Ministry.[20]

By 21 March 2010 all diplomatic relations between the two states had officially come to an end.[21][22]

Following the Israel–United Arab Emirates peace agreement in August 2020, Mauritania's Foreign Ministry said that his country trusted the "wisdom and good judgement" of the United Arab Emirates leadership for signing an Accord with Israel to agree to normalize relations, and that "the UAE possesses absolute sovereignty and complete independence in conducting its relations and assessing the positions it takes in accordance with its national interest and the interests of Arabs."[23][24]

See also

References
  1. "CNN - Albright praises new diplomatic ties between Israel, Mauritania - October 28, 1999". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  2. Archives, L. A. Times (1999-10-29). "Mauritania and Israel Establish Diplomatic Ties". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  3. "Israel-Mauritania Relations". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  4. "Mauritania tells Israel embassy to leave". Reuters. 2009-03-06. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  5. "Mauritania expels Israeli diplomats, shuts embassy". Reuters. 2009-03-06. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  6. Amos Oz interview with Phillip Adams, 10 September 1991, re-broadcast on ABC Radio National 23 December 2011
  7. The encyclopedia of the Arab-Israeli conflict: a political, social, and military history, Volume 1 A-H, Spencer Tucker, ABC-CLIO Inc, 2008, p127, accessed 25 December 2011
  8. Constantin, François; Coulon, Christian (2013-05-21), Centre de recherches et d’études sur les sociétés méditerranéennes; Centre d’étude d’Afrique noire (eds.), "Les relations internationales de la Mauritanie", Introduction à la Mauritanie, Connaissance du monde arabe (in French), Aix-en-Provence: Institut de recherches et d’études sur les mondes arabes et musulmans, pp. 323–360, ISBN 978-2-271-08123-0, retrieved 2023-10-27
  9. Historical dictionary of Mauritania, Anthony G. Pazzanita, Scarecrow Press Inc, Lanham, Maryland USA, 2008, p216, accessed 25 December 2011
  10. "Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Israel". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  11. A political chronology of Africa, David Lea, Annamarie Rowe, Europa Publications Ltd, London, 2001, ISBN o-203-40309-6, p289, accessed 25 December 2011
  12. Friedman, Matti (6 March 2009). "Officials: Mauritania expels Israeli ambassador". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 13 March 2009. Retrieved 7 March 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  13. "ISRAËL/MAURITANIE : ouverture de relations diplomatiques". Le Monde.fr (in French). 1999-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  14. "Post-coup Mauritania will keep ties with Israel". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2005-10-11. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  15. "Post-coup Mauritania to keep relations with Israel". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2005-10-10. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  16. "Mauritania leader to maintain Israel relations". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2005-10-10. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  17. Sidi Salem, Hachem; Fertey, Vincent (6 March 2009). "Mauritania tells Israel embassy to leave". International Herald Tribune. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 7 March 2009.
  18. "Qatar and Mauritania freeze ties with Israel". France 24. 2009-01-16. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  19. Sidi Salem, Hachem (6 March 2009). "Staff leave Israeli embassy in Mauritania". Thomson Reuters. Archived from the original on 13 March 2009. Retrieved 7 March 2009.
  20. "Israel closes Mauritania embassy". BBC. 2009-03-06. Retrieved 2009-03-07.
  21. "Mauritania Formally Severs Diplomatic Ties With Israel". Haaretz.
  22. "Mauritania says cuts diplomatic ties with Israel". Reuters. 2010-03-21. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  23. Mauritania supports 'good judgment' of UAE on Israel deal. August 16 2020. Middle East Monitor. Retrieved September 12 2020.
  24. "Mauritania supports 'good judgment' of UAE leadership on Israel accord -WAM". Reuters. 2020-08-16. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
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