The new Israeli ambassador to Angola called today for more partnerships and increased trade, noting that the potential exceeds the $80–90 million (74–83 million euros) recorded in 2024.
“Angola and Israel have much to do together. The future is prosperous, and I am here for that,” said Leo Vinovezky at a press conference in Luanda, emphasizing that the priority will be to work across multiple sectors and throughout all Angolan provinces.
The ambassador highlighted the importance of “diplomatic economy” and said he wants “to bring to Angola people who already know Africa but don’t know Angola,” promoting an approach focused on partnerships and results.
“We are together, and this will be translated into action,” he stated, noting that Israel currently has around ten companies in Angola, in sectors such as construction, agriculture, water, environment, and small tech startups.
Vinovezky also mentioned that Israel and Angola are exploring the possibility of an air partnership.
“It has been discussed informally. Many of us dream of having a direct flight. It’s a very strong symbol—it represents progress in relations not only at the passenger level but also in trade and culture,” he said.
He added that political and diplomatic dialogue between the two countries should expand and revealed that he has renewed an invitation to Angola’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António, to visit Israel.
The ambassador announced that on November 30, a conference will be held with the Israeli Space Agency to include Angolan high school girls in the Xspace program, which gives young African women the opportunity to study mathematics and engineering.
“It opens up a completely different perspective,” he said, noting that around 25 to 30 young African women already participate in this program, which promotes integration with Israelis.
Vinovezky also pointed out that Angola has a satellite and has potential for partnerships in the space sector, noting that there have also been contacts with the Luanda Science Center.
Responsible also for Israel’s relations with Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the diplomat emphasized that “there is much talent and opportunity in Africa.”
Among the areas of cooperation that could be expanded, Vinovezky mentioned sports, music, architecture, and cinema, as well as the promotion of tourism and pilgrimages to the Holy Land, which “also represent business opportunities.”
The diplomat noted that bilateral relations mark a special milestone, celebrating 30 years since the opening of the Israeli embassy in Luanda, and also addressed the conflict in Gaza, stating that Israel “is trying to end a war it neither wanted nor planned.”
“We were taken by surprise. I have friends who were massacred, murdered, raped. What happened on October 7 was an attack of monstrous magnitude,” he said.
“Israel will defend itself, even if it is unpopular, even if mistakes are made unintentionally. The country has the right to defend itself,” he stressed, insisting that “crimes against humanity targeting Israel cannot be accepted or given a green light.”
“It is very easy to criticize Israel. But today it is not enough to condemn and denounce terrorism; it is necessary to punish,” he added, asserting that “the message must be very clear, here or at the United Nations,” which he criticized for approving 80 resolutions against Israel while ignoring human rights violations in other countries.
Leo Vinovezky further emphasized that Israel intends to continue explaining what happened on October 7 and afterward, as this is “also part of the diplomatic work.”
Source: Lusa
