SOURING RELATIONS BETWEEN ERITREA AND ISRAEL

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000030 NOFORN DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IPC/SO, INR, AND AF/E E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2029 TAGS: PREL ER IS SUBJECT: SOURING RELATIONS BETWEEN ERITREA AND ISRAEL Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d) ¶1. (C/NF) Over the past 8 months, the once cordial relations between the Israeli and the Eritrean governments have deteriorated. The Israeli security officer told RSO that they previously had good relations with the GSE and never had any problems obtaining travel permits or TDY visas. In the past, the Eritrean Police have met with the Israeli security officer on several occasions and currently allow their embassy guards to carry firearms. However, the Israeli Embassy has been denied travel permits since April 2008 and they have had difficulty in receiving TDY visas for security technicians and, in November, for a temporary charge d'affairs. The GSE issued two statements on its Ministry of Information website criticizing the Israeli actions in Gaza during the recent hostilities. ¶2. (C/NF) The Israeli security officer said this worsening relationship resulted from the improved relations between Iran and Eritrea and because of the financial aid Eritrea receives from Arab countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. MCMULLEN