Pictured Above: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) meets with Senegalese President Macky Sall on the sidelines of the Economic Community of West African States conference Sunday. Credit: Kobi Gideon/GPO.

(JNS.org) Israel and Senegal announced the restoration of full diplomatic ties Monday, following a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Senegalese President Macky Sall on the sidelines of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) conference Sunday in Liberia.

Diplomatic relations between the countries were frozen after Senegal cosponsored last December’s United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israel’s settlement policy, and described eastern Jerusalem and its Jewish holy sites as “occupied Palestinian territory.” At the time, Israel recalled its ambassador to Senegal and suspended its aid programs with the African nation.

Following the nations’ restoration of ties, Israel will return its ambassador and Senegal will support Israel’s candidacy for observer status at the African Union, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

Netanyahu and Sall agreed to foster cooperation in the fields of security and agriculture, and Senegal’s foreign minister has been invited to restore a planned visit to Israel that was stalled “as a result of the crisis,” according to the PMO.

Israel’s rapprochement with Senegal and presence at the ECOWAS conference are part of the Jewish state’s ongoing effort to dissolve the voting bloc of 54 African countries that guarantees the passage of anti-Israel initiatives at the U.N. and other global bodies.

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