Why does Malawi support Israel so strongly?

By Jamal Jamal

LILONGWE, Malawi (AA) – In April, six months into the genocide in Gaza, a new diplomatic mission opened its doors in Israel’s capital Tel Aviv.

This was the embassy of Malawi, the landlocked East African nation that had diplomatic ties with Israel for six decades but never an official presence.

The timing of the inauguration – in the middle of a deadly Israel assault that has now killed or wounded more than 140,000 Palestinians – was no coincidence, but rather an explicit message meant to show just how strongly Malawi backs Israel.

Since last October, the Malawian government has spared no opportunity to reaffirm its support, both in words and actions, dismissing intense domestic criticism and defending its stand as a “reciprocated gesture to a true friend and longtime ally.”

For the govenrment, the idea of a change in the official position remains a nonstarter.

“There is no way we can change our stand today and sever our ties (with Israel) at the hour they need us the most as close allies,” Foreign Minister Nancy Tembo told Anadolu.

Since Malawi’s independence in 1964, Israel “has been with us through and through, helping us to grow in many aspects,” she said.

“They helped us get where we are now. We can’t, therefore, cut our ties with them today because there is a war in Gaza. Much as we regret the loss of lives, we reaffirm our firm solidarity to Israel,” Tembo asserted.

Malawi was even ready to go where few others have for Isreal, as its initial plan was to open the embassy in Jerusalem. President Lazarus Chakwera was forced to rescind the decision because of strong backlash from Malawian civil society, religious leaders and pro-Palestine groups.

The two countries also have a labor agreement that has so far seen thousands of young Malawians go to Israel to work on farms, in conditions that critics have described as “inhumane and degrading.”

At the UN, Malawi has used its voice almost exclusively in favor of Israel, abstaining in a December cease-fire vote and this May’s resolution on Palestine’s bid to become a full UN member.

- All for ‘survival’

Political commentators such as George Phiri believe Malawi’s stance towards Israel “isn’t of its own making.”

“It’s being done to please the Western masters for Malawi’s survival,” Phiri told Anadolu.

“Since 1964, we have depended on the West for everything. We are forced to dance to the tune of these Western powers that have high stakes in the Gaza war … Simply put, we are pursuing the interests of others at the expense of our conscience.”

Asaboni Phiri, coordinator of the Malawi Palestine Solidarity Movement (MPSM), said the country’s current stand is a “complete departure from its values.”

“As a movement we are saddened at the stand our country has taken. Malawi is a signatory to the Genocide Convention. It’s also a member of the Human Rights Council at the UN. It’s therefore obvious that Malawi must preach peace and stand with the suffering majority in this war,” said Asaboni.

“This isn’t the stand of Malawi as a nation, but just a few leaders who have taken this path for personal benefits.”

Muslims in Malawi have also been vocal against the government position.

Dinala Chabulika, an official of the Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM), said the country has “chosen to aid Israel in carrying out genocide in Gaza.”

“We are a peace-loving nation … We have been calling for peace in Ukraine, but we have chosen to take a different path in Gaza. This is hypocrisy and we condemn this in totality,” he said.

- Change of course?

Citizens like Abdul Azizi Yasin feel that Malawi’s backing to Israel is a reflection of “desperation” and a “weak leadership,” with calls for a reassessment of policies echoing almost every day.

Foreign Minister Tembo, however, dismissed claims of any foreign influence in Malawi’s position.

“We are a sovereign nation and we, therefore, make independent decisions. We aren’t in any way being influenced to make any decision by any foreign power, and we are not doing this for any benefits or whatever,” she said.

“Israel has been a true ally since our independence. There is no way we can go against them in any situation.”

Malawi, she added, does “regret the loss of lives on both sides” but will not “backtrack on our stand.”

Analyst Phiri believes Malawi “does not have what it takes as a nation” to change course on its support to Israel.

“We survive on alms from foreign powers … I don’t see this nation going against Israel or others with vested interests in the war. That’s where we are because of our inability to survive on our own,” he said.