Tel Aviv's South Sudanese population celebrated their homeland's independence on Sunday.
Southern Sudanese sang gospel and danced in South Tel Aviv on Sunday to celebrate the independence of South Sudan. Although the state's independence took effect midnight on Saturday, celebrations in Israel waited until after the Sabbath.
The independence of the state capped a hard-won separation from the North that also plunged the fractured region into a new period of uncertainty.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced Israel's official recognition of the independent South Sudan in a Cabinet meeting on Sunday.
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Israel has reportedly already established contact with government authorities in Sudan and has cooperated on issues relating to agriculture, economics and security.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir was quoted in October as saying that he did not rule out the establishment of “good relations” with Israel, including the opening of an Israeli Embassy in Juba, the country’s capital. He was also quoted as saying that Israel “is the enemy of the Palestinians only, and not an enemy of the South.” He hinted at the time of recognition of Israel.
http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=228700&R=R4
Israel recognizes South Sudan, offers economic aid
Israel recognised South Sudan on Sunday, offering the new state economic help after it seceded from the mainly Arab Muslim north, which has no relations with the Jewish state.
"I announce here that Israel recognizes South Sudan," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet in broadcast remarks.
"We wish it success. It is a peace-seeking country and we would be happy to cooperate with it in order to ensure its development and prosperity."
South Sudan, where most follow Christian and traditional African beliefs, declared independence on Saturday in line with a January referendum that was the culmination of a 2005 peace deal ending decades of civil war with the north.
Israel is home to thousands of Sudanese refugees and migrant workers who arrived on foot after crossing the Egyptian Sinai.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2011-07/10/content_12871626.htm
