Mauritania Expected to Resume Diplomatic Ties with Israel at US Summit

Mauritania is reportedly preparing to resume diplomatic relations with Israel, with a meeting between President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expected on the sidelines of a US-Africa summit hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House. This potential restoration marks a significant shift, as Mauritania severed ties with Israel in 2010 following the Gaza conflict. The Trump administration is actively facilitating the expansion of the Abraham Accords, aiming to normalize relations between Israel and several African and Arab nations, framing these agreements as economic partnerships. Despite these developments, the Mauritanian Ambassador to Washington has denied knowledge of any planned meeting, labeling related reports as "fake news" and emphasizing that the presidential communications office is the sole authority for such announcements. The move comes amid ongoing controversies surrounding Israel's actions in Gaza, with critics viewing normalization efforts as political cover for Israeli policies. Mauritania remains one of several African countries that have previously suspended or never recognized Israel, highlighting the diplomatic significance of this potential breakthrough.