Israel in Africa: Security, Migration, Interstate Politics

Description

Amidst the turmoil of the Middle East, few have noticed the extent to which Israel has slowly but surely been building alliances on the African continent. Facing a growing international backlash, Israel has had to look beyond its traditional Western allies for support, and many African governments in turn have been happy to receive Israeli political support, security assistance, investments and technology. But what do these relationships mean for Africa, and for wider geopolitics? With an examination of Africa's authoritarian development politics, the rise of Born-Again Christianity and of Israel's thriving high-tech and arms industries, from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the migration of Africans to Israel and back again, Gidron provides a comprehensive analysis of the various forces and actors shaping Israel's controversial relationships with countries on the continent. In particular, the book demonstrates that Israel's interest in Africa forms part of a wider diplomatic effort, aimed at blocking Palestine's pursuit of international recognition. Though the scale of Israeli-African engagements has been little appreciated until now, the book reveals how contemporary African and Middle Eastern politics and societies interact and impact each other in profound ways. Cover About the author Title page Copyright Contents Introduction Reconsidering Israel in Africa Securitisation, privatisation and states Structure, scope and sources 1. An African adventure Israel turns to Africa Seeking allies in the Horn Israel as a developmental model Propaganda, aid and their limits The battle for diplomatic support An African adventure 2. A security empire Israel’s fall from grace in Africa The Yom Kippur War and its aftermath The rise of covert military diplomacy The expansion of arms diplomacy Diplomacy on the cheap A security empire 3. Old battles, new wars Israel, Iran and the Gulf in Africa Israel and the Palestinians in Africa Rebranding Israel in Africa The role of the private sector Development aid and the role of civil society Old battles, new wars 4. Africa’s Israels The politics of (in)security The politics of US patronage The politics of blessings The business of state-building Africa’s Israels 5. Managing the frontier Israel and Africa’s Jews The Beta Israel Uninvited guests ‘A cancer in our body’ The making of a predatory non-policy Deportations and informal transfer schemes The limits of clandestine operations Managing the frontier Conclusion Israel’s future in Africa Notes References Index