Israel Thanks South Sudan for Support Over Refugee Crisis and Gaza Conflict

(JERUSALEM) – Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Tuesday hosted South Sudan’s Foreign Minister, Monday Semaya Kumba, for high level talks in Jerusalem, during which both countries reaffirmed their growing diplomatic and humanitarian ties.

The meeting comes at a time when South Sudan is struggling under the weight of multiple humanitarian crises, including the influx of over 1 million refugees fleeing the civil war in neighbouring Sudan, compounded by internal conflict, flooding and food insecurity.

Sa’ar publicly acknowledged South Sudan’s burden, criticising the international community for what he described as a lack of adequate recognition and assistance.

In a statement shared online following the meeting, Sa’ar said he “highlighted the hypocrisy of the international community that ignores the longstanding humanitarian crisis and suffering in Sudan, which impacts South Sudan, that receives no aid or recognition despite its significant support for the Sudanese refugees.”

Since conflict erupted in Sudan in April 2023, South Sudan has seen a continuous influx of displaced persons. Humanitarian sources, including Donare, a global crisis data platform, estimate that around 9.3 million people in South Sudan, nearly two thirds of the country’s population, currently require humanitarian aid.

Of that number, approximately 2.5 million are expected to face immediate food shortages during the lean season. This situation places immense pressure on South Sudan’s fragile infrastructure and limited public services.

Despite this, international humanitarian funding has been slow and limited. The Israeli minister’s comments are among the few from global officials to directly raise the issue at such a senior diplomatic level. Sa’ar also used the opportunity to express appreciation for South Sudan’s diplomatic stance over the ongoing war in Gaza, where Israel is engaged in continued military operations against Hamas.

South Sudan has consistently supported Israel in international forums, including by abstaining on key United Nations resolutions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Jerusalem and Juba established diplomatic relations shortly after South Sudan’s independence in 2011. Bilateral cooperation was further strengthened in 2023 when both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering strategic sectors such as agriculture, water resource management and construction. In exchange, South Sudan has offered political backing for Israel, especially during sensitive international votes.

The Israeli official closed his remarks by noting that his government is committed to deepening ties with South Sudan, particularly in areas where Israeli expertise can help alleviate some of the challenges faced by the young African nation.

In a separate diplomatic update on the same day, Foreign Minister Sa’ar also announced that he had spoken with new Filipino Foreign Affairs Secretary Tess Lazaro to congratulate her on her recent appointment. He said their discussion included ways to boost bilateral relations and address regional security concerns.

Sa’ar used the opportunity to criticise global pressure on Israel during the Gaza conflict, stating that it “only hardened Hamas’s stance and sabotaged the chances of achieving a hostage deal and ceasefire.” He extended an invitation for Lazaro to visit Israel, and thanked her for a reciprocal invitation to the Philippines.