Protests over Chakwera’s plan to have Malawi embassy in Jerusalem: ‘It should be Tel Aviv’
A group of concerned citizens which includes some Muslims are rejecting President Lazarus Chakwera’s announced plans to open a diplomatic office in Jerusalem, Israel.
The ‘concerned citizens’ demand that if Malawi is to open diplomatic relationship with Israel, the move should be approved by Parliament and that the mission should be based in Tel Aviv and not Jerusalem.
“We object to having Malawi embassy in Jerusalem. If Malawi is to open embassy to Israel, let it be approved by Parliament and the mission should be in Tel Aviv,” said a member of the group, Mussa Ibrahim.
Chakwera’s choice of Jerusalem is regarded as Malawi’s official recognition that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital city, which is categorically rejected by Arab and Muslim countries.
Malawi’s plan will follow declarations made by the respective leaders of Serbia and Kosovo.
Chakwera, a former Assemblies of God Church preacher, announced a series of reforms that would include upgrading the country’s Foreign Ministry and its network of embassies worldwide.
“The reforms will also include a review of our diplomatic presence, including our resolve to have new diplomatic missions in Lagos, Nigeria and Jerusalem, Israel. I will be sharing more details about this in the near future,” he declared in his State of the Nation Address delivered in Parliament last Friday.
Chakwera, 65, holds a PhD in theology and has long been supportive of the Jewish state, which he last visited last year.
So far, Malawi — a mostly Christian country with about 18 million inhabitants — has no embassy in Israel. Israel’s non-resident ambassador to Malawi, Oded Joseph, is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
If Chakwera fulfills his promise, Malawi would be the first African country to establish a diplomatic office in Jerusalem.
Yes my president, go on to have an embassy in Jerusalem, Israel. Malawi’ majority population is Christian and and pilgrimages to Israel a lot. It is only logical and fair to have diplomatic relations and presence I Jerusalem. Iam all behind you.
we all know that there is no israel without jerusalem, and their is no bible without jerusalem. good move president, open the embassy in jerusalem.
Chakwera should tread carefully on the Jerusalem move
The Muslims that are on the fore front are Amwenye. Who do you think you are to be telling us what to do with our Malawi. Go and influence your president in India and let us indigenous Malawians make our decisions. Why do you Indians like imposing your beliefs on this Christian Nation. We fully support you our president. If need be we will demonstrate in support of this decision as well.
This is the way to go! Jerusalem here we come! We will learn more from Israel, they are good in Technology and Farming areas which most people who are opposing this does not know.
God bless Israel!
Of all the decisions that Chakwera has ever made, the Jerusalem embassy is the best. No nation rises to superpower status without Israel, directly or indirectly. All the yesteryear superpowers fell because of Israel, directly or indirectly. Chakwera must be supported on this.
LAZARO must consult the SADC nations first. Being opportunistic and going alone on this sensitive issue will not help Malawi, will not help SADC and will not help Africa. If LAZARO decides to go alone, SOUTH AFRICA must round up all these illegal immigrants from Malawi and send them to their homeland and see if ISRAEL will assist them. AFRICA UNITE !!!!!!!
We are not South Africans, remember? So to hell South Africa issue, we are Malawi and we can not be guided by you and or yourself South Africa and or SADC we, choose for ourselves, Israel here we come!
its of no point to open other missions when we fail to make use of the existed ones. Please come to your senses
Israel ikufunika pa nkhani ya zida ndi bout. Tikufuna ma Israeli commandos azibwera kuno
This will be a waste of public funds. Currently, Malawi has several missions, but there is nothing like tangible benefits realised out of those missions. Our representatives are not qualified diplomats who can ably sell Malawi. Ensure efficiency in all the existing Missions before extending your foot print to other nations.
koma you can say this again.
NOT ABLY INDEED. Let al8ne the wives of embassy staff getting employed to the same office without the knowledge of the main office in Lilongwe.
koma kumakangopanga ma personal businesses.
We dont need UK then germany embassies why????? One office is enough.
ma house parties and the singles with the slay queens. Zili ku ma embassy ku