Israel said some positions of South Sudan on some issues leave it “confused”, its ambassador to Juba said on Friday, days after the South Sudanese government sought observer status in the 22-nation regional organization of the Arab League.
However, Ambassador Hanan Goder said in an interview with Al-Maugif Arabic newspaper in Juba that his government supports any option favoring the government and people of South Sudan.
The diplomat said South Sudan is a very close partner and friendly country for Israel, pointing out that the two nations have a lot in common.
Goder also said the two leaders have ' great relationship’, pointing out that President Kiir was still committed to fulfill his promise to move South Sudan embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The Israeli diplomat further said they have no desire to compete with Arabic countries in South Sudan.” We are here not to compete with the Arab countries. We are here because we have been here for more than a century and a half,” he said.
He pointed out that his country is not dismayed by the decision taken by South Sudan government to join the regional organization of the Arab League.
Goder revealed that South Sudan is among a list of international trips to be made soon by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."Certainly, the Prime Minister will visit South Sudan soon,” he said.