This is the first visit in Isrel by a leader of the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1985.

Full diplomatic relations between the DRC and Israel were re-established in March 2020, when President Tshisekedi announced in an address to the AIPAC conference, the largest pro-Israel group in Washington, the appointment of an ambassador to Israel and the opening of an economic section in Jerusalem.

The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Felix Tshisekedi, who is on a visit in Israel, visited Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, on Wednesday.

He toured the Holocaust History Museum, took part in a ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance, visited the Children’s Memorial and signed the Yad Vashem Guestbook.

This is the first visit in Isrel by a leader of Congo since 1985.

Tshisekedi, who is chairman of the African Union,  has been invited by the Prime Minister’s Office and is expected to discuss security and political issues with Israeli officials.

Full diplomatic relations between the DRC and Israel were re-established in March 2020, when President Tshisekedi announced in an address to the AIPAC conference, the largest pro-Israel group in Washington, the appointment of an ambassador to Israel and the opening of an economic section in Jerusalem.

The Congolese leader also supported the Trump administration’s peace plan. He had met , in May 2020 with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel joined the African Union with observer status last July.

During his visit, Felix Tshisekedi was awarded an honorary degree by Netanya Academic College. A declaration of intent was signed in July 2021 between the institution and UNIKIN University in Kinshasa, in favor of cooperation between the two institutions.

He also paid a visit to the tomb of Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism, where he laid a wreath.