Breaking Momentum for Biafra: Israeli Parliament's Debate Sparks Global Calls for Intervention

Breaking Momentum for Biafra: Israeli Parliament's Debate Sparks Global Calls for Intervention In a passionate address to the Knesset, a...

Breaking Momentum for Biafra: Israeli Parliament's Debate Sparks Global Calls for Intervention

In a passionate address to the Knesset, an Israeli lawmaker drew stark parallels between the historical suffering of the Biafran people in Nigeria and the Jewish Holocaust, urging Israel's Foreign Ministry to elevate the issue on global platforms. The debate, centered on the southeastern Nigerian region historically known as Biafra, home to the Igbo ethnic group, highlighted ongoing allegations of persecution, displacement, and violence, while the government response emphasized diplomatic caution and respect for Nigerian sovereignty.

The discussion was initiated by Member of Knesset (MK) Ya'akov Margi, who proposed adding the topic to the parliamentary agenda. Recalling the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), often referred to as the Biafran War, Margi described haunting images from the era that "shook the world's conscience in the 1960s." He noted the international symbol of starvation embodied by children with swollen bellies due to kwashiorkor, a severe form of malnutrition caused by the blockade imposed by Nigerian forces. Despite global outrage, Margi lamented, "the world continued to remain silent, and the siege continued until their surrender."

Margi presented staggering figures to underscore the scale of the tragedy: an estimated two and a half million Biafrans killed since the war's end, totaling around six million deaths over the decades. "Six million! A chilling, shocking number that reminds us of something of what we went through as Jews," he exclaimed, evoking the Holocaust's death toll . He argued that this number "shakes the heart and the foundations," compelling a Jewish moral imperative to act.

Turning to contemporary issues, Margi painted a dire picture of escalating threats in the region. He accused extremist Muslim groups from northern Nigeria of invading Biafran territories, allegedly with the tacit approval or encouragement of the central government in Abuja. The Igbo people, he claimed, face a "cruel choice" reminiscent of past ultimatums from Nigerian officials: "to convert to Islam, to die, or to live in exile." Posing a rhetorical question "Why do we need to intervene?" Margi invoked the "Jewish conscience" that obligates Israel to "be vigilant and to cry out." He called on the Foreign Ministry to raise the matter in every international forum, decrying what he described as global "double standards" and a "false scale of values for appearance's sake."

From the podium of Israel's parliament, Margi issued a broader appeal: "I call here... to the great world, to the entire world, to wake up, to put this on the agenda." He urged Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and his ministry to prioritize the issue, aiming to "awaken the human conscience of the nations of the world which sometimes we feel doesn't exist, as we experienced it ourselves firsthand."

Responding on behalf of the government was Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, who acknowledged the proposal's importance while framing the situation within a broader diplomatic context. "The case of the Biafra region is really a very, very difficult case," Haskel stated, estimating the area's population at 50 to 70 million roughly 15 to 17 percent of Nigeria's total 250 million inhabitants. She expressed "deep empathy" for Biafra's residents, referencing the "very difficult war and atrocities" of 1967-1970 and the iconic images of famine-stricken children.

Haskel affirmed Israel's solidarity with the Igbo people's security and well-being but stressed that the Biafra question is "today an internal political-social matter within Nigeria." She highlighted Israel's full diplomatic ties with the Nigerian government, including an embassy in Abuja, and emphasized respect for the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty. "We act toward the official local government," she explained.

Addressing security concerns, Haskel noted widespread challenges across Nigeria, including terrorist attacks, kidnappings, and violence from groups like Boko Haram. She clarified that these issues are not confined to Biafra or targeted solely at the Igbo: "This is a national Nigerian confrontation against destabilizing elements that harm civilians from all parts of the country." Living conditions in Biafra, she added, mirror those in many other Nigerian regions and across Africa, advising against isolating the area from the national context.

On humanitarian aid, Haskel pointed to Israel's recent efforts in Africa, such as providing food, blankets, tents, and other supplies to South Sudanese refugees fleeing conflict a response to a direct request from South Sudan's foreign minister, whom she described as representing a "very friendly" nation toward Israel. However, no such request has come from Nigeria. "If such a request for aid is received, and if the State of Israel finds it appropriate… we will act accordingly with the tools at our disposal," she assured.

Haskel also touched on a unique angle raised by Margi: claims by some Igbo communities of descent from a "lost Jewish tribe." She described this as "in question," noting a rejected Supreme Court petition in Israel as the primary evidence. She suggested further investigation involving the Jewish Agency, Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, and Ministry of Religious Services. "The issue is indeed on our table. We are indeed following these events closely," Haskel concluded, naming supportive MKs like Limor Son Har-Melech, Michael Biton, and Meir Cohen.

The debate underscores Israel's complex balancing act in African affairs: weighing humanitarian and moral imperatives against diplomatic relations with sovereign states. Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and a major oil producer, maintains significant economic and strategic ties with Israel, including in security and technology sectors. Critics of the government's stance argue that historical Jewish experiences of genocide and persecution demand bolder advocacy, while officials caution that intervention could strain bilateral relations.

As the session wrapped up amid light-hearted banter about time allocations, the exchange left open questions about potential next steps. Will Israel push the Biafran issue at the United Nations or other forums? For now, the Knesset has amplified a voice for a region long scarred by conflict, reminding the world of forgotten histories and persistent struggles.

Family Writers Press International.