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Djibouti has removed its name from the list of countries that are said to be considering normalization with Israel.
In an interview with the Africa Report cited by Israeli media, President Ismail Omar Guelleh made it clear that this was not an option for the foreseeable future:
“No, because the conditions are not ripe. We have no problem with the Jews as a people or with the Israelis as a nation. Some of them even come to Djibouti on business with their passports, and Djiboutian citizens have been able to travel to Israel for 25 years.
Their problem is with the Palestinian question, he said, “because they are denying the Palestinians their inalienable rights. All we ask of the government is to make a gesture of peace and we will make ten in return. But I’m afraid they will never do that. “
Djibouti was one of several African countries, including Niger, that have been discussed as possible candidates to establish ties with Israel, according to a high-ranking Israeli diplomatic source cited by The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.
However, the source dismissed talks about Pakistan’s adherence to the Abraham Accords. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry rejected the speech recognizing Israel as “unsubstantiated speculation” in a statement issued Tuesday night.
“The prime minister has made it clear that unless a just settlement of the Palestinian problem is found, satisfactory to the Palestinian people, Pakistan cannot recognize Israel,” a spokesman said.
Pakistan is somewhat less generous than Djibouti when it comes to traveling with Israel. Pakistani passports say: “This passport is valid for all countries except Israel.”