Kenya–Palestine relations

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Kenyan–Palestinian relations
Map indicating locations of Kenya and Palestine

Kenya

Palestine

Kenya–Palestine relations refer to foreign relations between Kenya and the State of Palestine.

Hazem Shabat is the ambassador of Palestine to Kenya.[1] Palestine has an embassy in Nairobi.[2] Kenya supports a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.[3]

History

Kenya recognized Palestinian statehood in May 1989.[4]

In 2016, Palestine complained about President Uhuru Kenyatta visiting the Western Wall and Israeli settlements in West Bank without visiting Palestinians towns.[5]

Kenyan police disbursed protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza in May 2021 during the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis.[6] Kenya urged for a de-escalation in the conflict.[7]

On 24 May 2023, Kenya abstained from a vote on Palestinian health at the World Health Organization.[8] Hazem Shabat, the Palestine Ambassador to Kenya, asked Israel to stop building illegal settlements in the West Bank in May 2023 at a lecture in the University of Nairobi.[9] President William Ruto of Kenya condemned the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and endorsed Israel's policy.[10] Communist Party of Kenya organized protests in favor of Palestine which were broken up by the police.[8] Kenyans for Palestine organized screenings of film on Palestine and called for boycott of Israeli companies.[8][11] Muslim Imams also expressed support for Palestinians during the 2023 Israel-Hamas war.[12] Three protestors were detained from a protest organized by Kenya Palestinian Solidarity Committee at the Cheche Bookshop and Cafe.[13] Protests were led by Mohammad Ali, member of parliament, on 22 October 2023 in Mombasa.[14] Member of Parliament Farah Maalim was censured by the speaker for wearing a Palestinian scarf.[15] Eugene Wamalwa, former cabinet secretary of Kenya, has said that Kenya should not pick a side in the Israel-Palestine conflict.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Israel is to blame for ongoing conflict, Palestinian ambassador to Kenya says". The Star. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  2. ^ "Palestine's embassy in Kenya & PICA inaugurate computer lab for a school". Wafa. 27 November 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Kenya supports two-state solution to Palestine, Israel conflict". The Star. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  4. ^ ""Hundred and thirty-first Session: Item 9.4 of the provisional agenda, Request for the Admission of the State of Palestine to UNESCO as a Member State"". United Nations Educational, Scientific; Cultural Organization, Executive Board. United Nations. 12 May 1989. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Palestinians slam Kenyan president for visiting Western Wall, West Bank". The Times of Israel. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Kenyan police disperse protesters demonstrating against Israeli attacks on Gaza". Reuters. 13 May 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  7. ^ WAKAYA, JEREMIAH (2021-05-17). "Kenya urges de-escalation of Israel-Palestine conflict, calls for truce » Capital News". Capital News. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  8. ^ a b c Onwuamaegbu, Natachi. "Young Kenyans begin boycott of Israeli brands as Gaza war goes on". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  9. ^ "Palestine Ambassador To Kenya Calls For Peaceful Coexistence With Israel". Kenya News Agency. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  10. ^ Lawal, Shola. "Israel-Gaza war: Why is Africa divided on supporting Palestine?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  11. ^ "Kenyans push for Israeli products boycott amid Gaza war". New Arab. 2023-12-14. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  12. ^ "Kenyan imams show support for Palestinians in Friday sermons - TRT Afrika". Kenyan imams show support for Palestinians in Friday sermons. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  13. ^ Kinyua, James (2023-10-22). "Pro-Palestinian Supporters Arrested in Nairobi". Kenyan Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  14. ^ "Kenyans demonstrate against Israeli attacks on Gaza". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  15. ^ "Kenyan MP censured for wearing Palestine scarf". Africanews. 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  16. ^ "Kenya shouldn't side with Israel or Palestine – Wamalwa". The Star. Retrieved 2024-01-16.