Israel–Namibia Relations

Israel and Namibia maintain formal but limited diplomatic relations, without a resident Israeli ambassador in Windhoek. A Jewish Virtual Library diplomatic missions table updated in May 2016 lists Namibia as a non-resident posting handled by the ambassador in South Africa, while the Library's Namibia account says Israel is represented by its ambassador in Zimbabwe.[1][2] A 2021 Jerusalem Post report identified Gershon Kedar as Israel's non-resident ambassador to Namibia and said he had presented his credentials at State House in Windhoek.[3]

Public aspects of the relationship have increasingly centered on Namibia's opposition to Israeli policy in international forums, although economic links, particularly in the diamond sector, have continued.[4][5]

The Jewish Virtual Library's diplomatic missions table dates the establishment of bilateral relations to February 1994, while its recognition table separately lists Namibia's recognition of Israel on February 11, 1994.[1][6]

An earlier civic link preceded formal diplomacy. Windhoek became a twin city with Kiryat Telshe Stone, a town outside Jerusalem, in November 1980—approximately fourteen years before diplomatic relations were established.[2]

Israel has maintained a presence in Namibia's diamond industry, and Namibia is among the African countries that supply rough diamonds to Israel.[7] A May 2025 report on Israel's diamond sector named Namibia alongside Botswana, Angola, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo as supplier countries. It did not provide a Namibia-specific import figure and said South Africa accounted for the bulk of Israeli diamond imports.[5]

The persistence of this trade during a period of political deterioration has attracted comment. In a June 2025 editorial, World Jewish Congress Executive Committee member Marcos Peckel characterized Namibia as having called for a boycott while maintaining a “fluid and quasi-secret diamond trade with Israel.” The editorial did not provide supporting trade figures or documentation for that characterization.[8]

Israeli private-sector activity in Namibia has also included individual investment. A 2016 report described Israeli businessman Kobi Alexander, who settled in Windhoek in 2006, establishing Kobi Alexander Enterprises and investing in local ventures through partnerships with Namibian businesspeople. He also supported soup kitchens for AIDS orphans, housing projects, and student scholarships; the report did not characterize these activities as Israeli government programs.[9]

The Institute for National Security Studies placed Namibia's positions within a broader pattern of weak Israeli standing in southern Africa and regional support for the Palestinian cause.[4] During the 2022 dispute over Israel's African Union observer status—which Israel had regained in July 2021—Namibia was among the countries opposing Israel's return. The Jerusalem Post reported that 21 African Union member states protested the move, with some objecting to the process by which it had been made.[10]

At the United Nations, Namibia was listed as an original sponsor on September 13, 2024, of the draft that became General Assembly resolution A/RES/ES-10/24, concerning an International Court of Justice advisory opinion on Israel's policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.[11] Namibia voted for the resolution on September 18; it passed with 124 votes in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstentions.[12] On December 11, Namibia voted for resolution A/RES/ES-10/26, “Demand for ceasefire in Gaza,” which passed with 158 votes in favor, nine against, and 13 abstentions.[13]

Namibia has supported South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. In January 2024, Namibia's presidency condemned Germany's planned intervention in support of Israel's position, stating that “Namibia rejects Germany's support regarding the genocide of the racist state of Israel against innocent civilians in Gaza.” President Hage Geingob linked Namibia's response to Germany's colonial-era genocide in what is now Namibia.[14] These were Namibian government statements concerning contested allegations, not findings established by the court.

Namibia filed a declaration of intervention in the case on March 12, 2026, under Article 63 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice. The Jewish Virtual Library reported that Namibia was expected to present arguments critical of Israel but did not reproduce or describe Namibia's filed legal arguments.[15] INSS had previously noted Namibia's vocal support for South Africa's campaign as part of a broader pattern of anti-Israel positioning in southern Africa.[4]

In August 2024, Namibia barred the Portuguese-flagged general cargo vessel MV Kathrin from entering Namibian territorial waters and docking at Walvis Bay.[16][17] Justice Minister Yvonne Dausab said a police investigation had confirmed that the ship was carrying explosive material destined for Israel and that allowing it to dock would breach Namibia's international obligations.[16] Namport also cited missing pre-clearance documents as a basis for the refusal.[16]

Dausab framed the decision in explicitly political terms, stating, “Our step reflects our support for Palestine,” and calling on other African countries to take similar action.[17] She described the decision as part of a commitment to avoid involvement in what she called Israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and unlawful occupation—characterizations attributed to Namibian officials, not established judicial findings.[16]

Namibia was among the countries announced as founding members of the Hague Group at a press conference on January 31, 2025. The coalition said it aimed to defend Palestinian rights and coordinate legal, diplomatic, and economic measures concerning Israel.[18][19] Its founding statement condemned what it called Israel's “genocidal actions” in Gaza and said its members would not remain silent in the face of what they characterized as international crimes.[19]

The coalition's announced measures included preventing arms transfers to Israel and barring vessels carrying weapons or military equipment to Israel from member-state ports.[18] At the group's July 2025 summit in Bogotá, Namibia was among twelve states reported to have pledged additional restrictions involving weapons, military equipment, fuel, and dual-use items destined for Israel.[20] Ahead of the summit, World Jewish Congress Executive Committee member Marcos Peckel characterized Namibia's calls for a boycott and its continued diamond trade with Israel as contradictory.[8]