On a historic first-ever state visit to Zambia on Monday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged the international community to address humanitarian suffering in Africa with the same urgency it shows toward Israel.

“We are also worried and disturbed by terrible disasters that are taking place in other parts of Africa,” Herzog said at a state dinner, referencing the persecution of Christians by Islamic extremists across the continent.  “We hope the international community will focus on the pains in Africa at least as much as they focused on their obsession with the State of Israel.”

The lightning 24-hour visit to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo comes as Jerusalem steps up its diplomatic outreach to tens of millions of Christian supporters across Africa.

“The connection between Zion and Zambia is so natural,” Herzog said.  “Like Zion, which whispers to us from antiquity, Africa too is a cradle of civilization.”

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said, “This moment is especially meaningful, marking the return of the Israeli Embassy to Zambia. To the people of Israel—you are most welcome in Zambia.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar opened an embassy in Lusaka on Aug. 20, more than three decades after the two countries reestablished ties.

The visit underscored the growing diplomatic tug-of-war in Africa between supporters and opponents of the Jewish state. While South Africa has become one of Israel’s fiercest critics on the global stage, other African nations have pushed back—deepening ties with Jerusalem based on a blend of shared interests and faith.

Earlier this month, a delegation of 30 senior African Christian leaders from 10 countries across the continent visited Israel on a religious and political mission—the latest expression of faith-based diplomacy.

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