Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta visited Israel, but the Palestinians are upset he made a stop in Judea and Samaria, Israel’s historical heartland. The Palestinians are also upset Kenyatta did not visit any Palestinian city.
The Palestinians are criticizing the Kenyan president’s visit to Israel, alleging that his stops in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria are akin to accepting Israel’s so-called occupation.
During his first official visit to Israel this week in the first by a Kenyan president since 1994, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta met with Kenyan students at in Israeli community in Judea and Samaria and visited the Western Wall, a Jewish holy site, in Jerusalem.
The Palestinians want to claim Judea and Samaria and Jerusalem as part of their future state.
The Palestinians are also upset Kenyatta has not visited any Palestinian city.
Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi said Thursday the Palestinians plan to complain to regional organizations, including the African Union, about the visit.
Israel and Kenya have strong security and agricultural ties.
Kenya has benefited from the Israeli government through the country’s Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV).
Sectors that have benefited from the cooperation include agriculture, health, water and sanitation, education, disaster management and security.
the Palestinians have contributed nothing to Kenya’s well-being.
Kenyatta’s spokesman could not immediately be reached.
By: AP and United with Israel Staff