French Intervention in Mali Aids Israel Expansion

Israeli political commentators confirm what we have long suspected, that the French military intervention in Mali is designed not only to protect its own interests in the region but to benefit Israel. The Mali adventure has opened new doors for Israel in terms of diplomacy and its expansionist plans in the African continent as whole.

Israel's objective is to gain influence in Africa by inciting peoples and governments against the Arabs. In addition to this diplomatic campaign, Israel offers arms deals to friendly countries, provides technical expertise and also expands its reach by implementing mega projects on the continent, in conjunction with huge international financial institutions.

A recent Israeli editorial refers to the 'disappointment' of Malian interim President Dioncounda Traoré that Arab countries have failed to condemned the Islamist groups which took over the northern part of the country. At the African Union summit in Addis  Ababa on January 27th Traoré spoke of his sense of betrayal that Arab nations had not joined Mali's fight against the Islamists but had condemned France instead. These ideas were then taken up by the Malian press and several editorials critical of Arab countries ensued.

In fact Traoré's claims are untrue and are merely echoing Israel's powerful propaganda machine. At the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Cairo earlier this month, a resolution was passed, supported by all 57 nations present, 'condemning terrorism' in the the west African state and wholeheartedly supporting the Malian government's efforts to restore the 'unity and territorial integrity of Mali'.

The Israeli editorial mentioned above webbed up Traoré's 'disappointment' with the fact his country had earlier cut ties with Israel 'under immense Arab pressure'. An article in Mali's Le Matin claimed that the Islamists are backed by Arab and Moslem countries and went on to single out the  Palestinians for further criticism since the PLO Ambassador to the country had failed to condemn the militants.

Cutting relations with Israel is primarily an ethical stance. Israel is the aggressor and has occupied Arab territories, changing their demographic identity and displacing millions of people. Israel has launched many wars against its neighbours.

For the Malian people, and a large number of African states that have a Muslim majority, the occupation of  Jerusalem is an insult to the world's billion-and-a-half Muslims.

Israel has penetrated the Nile Basin Countries by financing massive dam-building projects and then inciting them to amend water distribution agreements to reduce the quotas for downstream countries, including Egypt and Sudan.

Unfortunately, Egypt’s former regime collaborated in this injustice and the current state of instability in many MENA countries may allow for further Israeli penetration in Africa due to a lack of watchfulness.

Egypt is currently pre-occupied with its own post-revolutionary dilemmas and Tunisia is facing an unprecedented political crisis. Libya is heading for failure, as its central government is under the thumb of NATO which overthrew the former regime. Algeria is wary of the Mali crisis since it fears repercussions on its own security and stability.

Not that responsibility for resisting further Israeli penetration should rest with the African-Arab countries alone. But how can Syria help when it is riven with civil war? And how can Iraq intervene when it is shattered by  sectarianism? What role can divided Yemen play in shaping the future of the African continent?

Saudi Arabia and some Gulf States are too busy interfering in the Syrian crisis or attempting to reverse the Egyptian revolution by supporting the opposition. And in any case, these countries do not believe in democracy or human rights.

Unfortunately, Israel stands to gain while the Arabs slumber.

Email this page
Print Friendly