In a recent interview with Taarifa, Ambassador Einat Weiss shared insights into her background, Israel’s unique story, and her vision for strengthening Rwanda-Israel relations during her term.
Weiss, who assumed her role as the new Ambassador to Rwanda four months ago, highlighted the similarities between Israel and Rwanda as nations that emerged from challenging histories.
Israel, described as a “miracle” by Ambassador Weiss, was established in 1948 after the Holocaust, facing a lack of natural resources and surrounded by adversarial neighbors.
Despite these challenges, Israel has become a global success story, particularly in areas like technology and innovation.
Addressing the ongoing conflicts with neighboring nations, Weiss emphasized Israel’s desire for peace.
She recounted historical events, stating that Israel faced war from its first day of existence, highlighting efforts to extend the hand of peace, which were met with rejection.
When asked about the possibility of peaceful coexistence with Palestine, Weiss expressed hope for peace but highlighted the need for certain conditions, including stopping terrorism and addressing the role of Iran in supporting extremist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
The interview also delved into Ambassador Weiss’s focus during her term in Rwanda. She emphasized the importance of building on existing bilateral relations, increasing economic collaboration, and promoting exchanges in various sectors, including water management, health, and technology.
Weiss acknowledged the small Jewish community in Rwanda and clarified that while there might not be plans for additional synagogues, efforts would be made to promote the study of Judaism in academic settings.
The conversation then turned to gender-related initiatives, with Weiss expressing her focus on women and girls’ empowerment.
She highlighted plans to collaborate with NGOs and institutions, promote education in STEM fields for girls, and establish connections between women in the parliaments of Israel and Rwanda.
On the topic of Israel’s presence in the African Union, Weiss expressed disappointment in the organization’s politicization.
She called for a fair consideration of Israel’s observer status, emphasizing the historical contributions Israel has made to the African continent.
The interview concluded with Ambassador Weiss sharing her impressions of Rwandans, describing them as patriotic, honest, hardworking, and smart.
She praised the country’s achievements under President Paul Kagame’s leadership and expressed confidence in Rwanda’s continued success, emphasizing the collective commitment of its people.
Overall, Ambassador Einat Weiss’s interview provided valuable insights into the current state of Rwanda-Israel relations, her priorities as an ambassador, and her optimistic outlook on the future of both nations.
Editor’s note:
The full interview will run on Wednesday.
It’s encouraging to see Ambassador Weiss highlighting the resilience and perseverance of both Israel and Rwanda in overcoming adversity to build thriving nations. Despite facing immense challenges in their histories, including genocide and conflict, both countries have shown remarkable determination and strength.
The ambassador seems focused on cultivating connections and mutual understanding between the two nations. Finding common ground is so important when nurturing diplomatic ties. I appreciate her vision of cooperation through trade, technology exchanges, and other partnerships that can tangibly benefit people in both nations. More positive collaborations like this will continue to move us in the right direction.