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President Isaac Herzog Receives Credentials of Five New Ambassadors
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New Ambassadors Present Credentials to President Herzog
On Monday, President Isaac Herzog welcomed the newly appointed ambassadors of Austria, France, Ghana, the Netherlands and Rwanda at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. The diplomats—Arad Benkö (Austria), Christophe Parisot (France), Evelyn Korantemaa Ofosu-Amable (Ghana), Stella Ronner-Grubacic (Netherlands) and Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Bayingana (Rwanda)—formally presented their letters of credence and will serve under Israel’s forthcoming government.
Diplomatic Background with Each Country
- Rwanda: Relations were first established in the early 1960s, severed in 1973, and renewed in 1998. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Rwanda in 2016, and President Paul Kagame reciprocated in July 2017. Recent bilateral agreements were signed earlier this year during a visit by Rwanda’s foreign minister.
- France: While diplomatic challenges persist, Parisot emphasized enduring people-to-people and cultural ties. Herzog recalled his 1988 visit with his father, former President Chaim Herzog, noting a historically “amazing” relationship.
- Austria: Benkö, who left Israel as a child and returned two decades ago as the Austrian embassy’s spokesman, described his return as “coming home.”
- Netherlands: Herzog highlighted a “special relationship” but warned that recent Dutch discourse and government comments have strained ties. Ronner-Grubacic stressed shared values and the importance of positive relations.
- Ghana: Relations span seven decades, dating to Golda Meir’s historic African tour. Israel previously trained Ghanaian soldiers, and Ghana’s diplomatic corps includes a notable proportion of women, exemplified by Ofosu-Amable’s arrival in national dress.
Statements from Leaders
- President Herzog praised Rwanda’s “warm friendship” and expanding cooperation in innovation, agriculture, development and education.
- Maj. Gen. Bayingana pledged to further expand Rwanda-Israel relations.
- Christophe Parisot affirmed that despite diplomatic hurdles, cultural and people-to-people connections remain strong.
- Stella Ronner-Grubacic highlighted shared values as the foundation of bilateral ties.
- Evelyn Korantemaa Ofosu-Amable expressed enthusiasm for strengthening cooperation with Israel.
- Michal Herzog, the president’s wife, attended the credential ceremonies and joined the ensuing discussions.
Significance for Israel’s International Relations
The credential ceremony underscores Israel’s effort to sustain and deepen ties across Europe and Africa amid a pending coalition government. Emphasizing cooperation with Rwanda and Ghana reflects a broader strategy to engage African partners in technology and security, while the nuanced dialogue with France and the Netherlands signals ongoing diplomatic balancing in Europe.
Upcoming Related Event
Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe is scheduled to attend a conference on peace and prosperity in the Great Lakes region in Paris on October 30, 2025. This meeting is expected to further reinforce Rwanda-Israel collaboration.
