President Herzog lands in Rwanda for diplomatic talks

President Herzog arrives in Rwanda as first high-ranking Israeli in Africa since October 7, discussing the hostage crisis and marking the 30th anniversary of the genocide.

 President Isaac Herzog lands in Rwanda. April 7, 2024. (photo credit: MAAYAN TOAF / GPO)
President Isaac Herzog lands in Rwanda. April 7, 2024.
(photo credit: MAAYAN TOAF / GPO)

Within the framework of his intense diplomatic activities in the effort to secure the release of the hostages still captive in Gaza, President Isaac Herzog on Sunday paid a lightning visit to Rwanda.

He is the first high-ranking Israeli to set foot on the African continent since October 7. In Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, Herzog held meetings with international leaders and attended a ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, which was attended by numerous international heads of state and foreign ministers.

President Isaac Herzog (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)
President Isaac Herzog (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)

In a country that understands the peril in which men, women, and children, as well as elderly individuals, find themselves in the current situation in Gaza, Herzog stated Israel’s case to President Paul Kagame, at whose invitation he came to Rwanda.

Herzog speaks about urgency to return hostages 

He also took the opportunity to speak to other important leaders about the urgency of bringing the hostages back to Israel without further delay.

Herzog, who has met several times with former hostages and with families of current hostages, was able to speak with a vast amount of knowledge about the physical and mental suffering of the hostages.

Further, he spoke as well about the trauma experienced by the hostage's families, who do not know if they are alive or dead or what they have been subjected to since they were abducted.