Israel–Mauritius relations

The relations between the State of Israel and the Republic of Mauritius were officially established in 1968, right after Mauritius gained its independence.[1] Mauritius cut off relations with Israel due to the Boycott of the Sub-Saharan African countries, but re-established them on 30 September 1993.[3] In the 1960s, Israel granted Mauritian students scholarships to study medicine in Jerusalem. After independence, full diplomatic relations were established and Israel's ambassador in Tananarive (Malagasy) served as non-resident ambassador to Mauritius.[4]

In a crack-down on illegal immigration during the British Mandates, Jews from Vienna, Danzig and Czechoslovakia seeking to immigrate to Palestine were deported to Mauritius. They were interned in a detainment camp in Beau Bassin. The male detainees were held in a former jailhouse and the women in adjacent iron huts. 128 prisoners died in the camp and were buried in a Jewish section of St. Martin cemetery, approximately a mile away from the campsite. In 1958, the cemetery was acquired by the Jewish community. In May 2001, the South African Jewish community held an unveiling there for 66 graves, followed by a visit to the prison and a Shabbat service and dinner. The Jewish delegation that attended this event also met with President Cassim Utim of Mauritius.[4]

In 2000, the small Jewish community celebrated the first bar mitzvah in Mauritius since World War II.[4]

In 2015, bilateral trade between the countries had a total worth of 5.7 Million US Dollars, mainly Israeli exports to Mauritius.[5] In 2022, Israel imports from Mauritius totaled US$3.36 million.

• Foreign Relations of Israel
• History of the Jews in Mauritius