Lotem: Israel relations with Kenya stronger than ever

Mr Michael Lotem, the current Israeli ambassador to Kenya is often jovial, even when dealing with serious diplomatic matters. After all, he has served in countries in eastern Europe, eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a regional intergovernmental organisation bringing together some countries in Europe and Asia.

Mr Lotem sat down with Nation.Africa for chat, and the discussion swung from serious to lighthearted topics and back.  

How would you describe the relationship between Kenya and Israel after the Gaza War?

The relationship is cordial. I read a story in a local daily that misquoted me, saying the relationship between Kenya and Israel is strained. That is false. When I read the article, I was torn between crying and laughing.

We have strained relationships with other countries but not with Kenya. My leadership is glad that we can openly speak here in Kenya.

What is one memorable experience of your stay in Kenya?

When I hear President William Ruto say that “we love Israel”. That says a lot. It is not something we hear very often from leaders. When I hear this love and feel it in the churches that I visit, that is something very powerful.

There are many cities and countries in the world where Israelis would not be walking in the streets talking Hebrew. This is how bad it is. My nephew and my sister live in Europe, and they wouldn’t speak Hebrew in the streets.

Here in Kenya, I haven’t heard about any Israeli having doubts or second thoughts on whether to speak Hebrew anywhere or to wear kippah or yarmulke (a brimless Jewish skullcap traditionally worn by Jewish men to cover their heads). That is something outstanding here in Kenya.

You have been here for three years now. How would you describe your love relationship with Kenya?

I love the country very much. This explains why I stayed longer than my three predecessors. I insisted on extending my diplomatic stay in this beautiful country because I fell in love with it when I was posted here three years ago. However, this does not mean my predecessors didn’t love the country.

Would you recommend an ordinary Israeli to visit Kenya?

I will for sure recommend that. I love the ways Kenyans conduct their affairs. In Israel, we are always in a big rush. Kenya has beautiful people. You have a beautiful natural landscape. One of my colleagues left last year and moved to Asia, and when I asked her what she missed the most in Kenya, she told me it was the green City in the sun because where she was posted to is a massive concrete jungle.

You have amazing nature. You have huge opportunities and potential. I hope more Israelis will visit Kenya. The terror attack in Mombasa some 23 years ago was a big blow to Israeli tourists, but the sector is slowly picking up and more Israelis are visiting and doing business in Kenya.

After almost a year and a half from the October 7 attack by Hamas, what stood out the most? 

Many countries in the world have dramatically disappointed us. They know Israel, our values and legal system; they know our politicians personally, but they kept an anti-Israel line beyond the pro-Hamas attack. I’m happy that in Kenya, the people embraced Israel. That was very strong, and this was conveyed to Jerusalem and politicians in Israel. We see many countries in Africa standing with Israel.

How would you describe the Gaza hostage release deal gesture so far?

It’s a mix of emotions. There is immense joy when the Israeli nation sees its people returning home alive. However, there is also profound sadness and trauma when people are released, like Eli Sharabi, who was taken by Hamas 16 months ago. He was released only to discover that his wife, Lianne Sharabi, and daughters, Noiya and Yahel, were murdered in their safe house, found cuddled together in 2023.

Then there was Shiri Bibas, who was kidnapped with her two children- Ariel and Kfir Bibas, and killed by their captors in Gaza. As a result of these murders, Israel wants Hamas leadership eliminated in Gaza. We still have Israeli hostages, and it is a very delicate and complicated situation.

As far as the Gaza hostage deal is concerned, what is Israel's focus on extending the ceasefire?

Our main focus is getting the hostages released and getting Hamas leadership out of Gaza. There is no option for the Hamas leadership to stay in power. This is also the view of the Palestinian authority. They don’t want to cooperate with Hamas leaders. I’m happy that, after a year and a half, the Palestinian Authority has labelled Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

Do you think it's high time to end this war in Gaza?

For sure, there is an urgent need to end this war. The Israelis and the Middle East people are looking forward to ending this war. Israel prefers to put its money, efforts and resources in health, education, infrastructure and technology in Africa. I don’t see anybody eager to fight in Israel. Israel wants a lasting ceasefire. We yearn for peace in the Middle East.

Some voices in Israel were initially opposed to the exchange of hostages. How was this situation handled?

It is a complicated situation. We paid a big price for this. We released thousands of terrorists convicted of dozens of murders in return for the hostages. Our goal was to make sure hostages were set free and could join their families. The families of the hostages supported the exchange deal. The most unfortunate thing is that we have seen these released terrorists go back to terrorism activities. Israel will not hesitate to kick them and jail them. 

What is the next step as the hostage deal gears for the second phase?

As far as Israel is concerned the next step is to see the total elimination of Hamas leadership. Our leaders will sit and discuss the best way to wipe out Hamas leadership in Gaza. The reality we saw in Lebanon, where it was taken hostage by Hezbollah, who gradually moved into parliament and army, is not something we shall allow to happen in Gaza.

Have you tasted local dishes in the last three years?

I love githeri. I eat it during lunch hours. It’s very nutritious, excellent, and tasty. I also love traditional vegetables in Kenya, like cowpeas, amaranth, black nightshade, jute mallow, pumpkin leaves and spider plant.

Three years on, have you mastered any local language?

I would love to learn Swahili, but I have not been keen in the last three years. I have a Russian language teacher who is also an expert in African languages. She wrote a Hebrew–Swahili dictionary, and I hope to learn Swahili through her assistance someday.

[email protected]