Introduction

Many casual observers of Afro-Israeli relations have assumed that the massive break of diplomatic ties between most of Africa and Israel in 1973 ended all contacts between the two. With the exit of the diplomats, Israel quietly seized on the extensive non-formal ties it had developed with Africa in the preceding one and one-half decades to develop its economic relations with the continent. The positive results of Israeli aid projects had contributed to African goodwill toward Israel and, perhaps more significantly, to a reputation for effective work and quality manufactured products. Because of the powerful Jewish lobby in the United States, Israel is perceived by many African states as being in a good position to intercede with the American administration for more generous aid. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.