Around 10,000 foreign workers from the southeast African country of Malawi are expected to arrive in Israel by the end of the year to support industries such as agriculture, construction, elder care, and tourism, according to Malawian parliamentarian Joyce Chitsulo.
In February, Malawi’s parliament approved the program following a fact-finding mission to Israel, where 700 Malawians were already working. Chitsulo noted that despite the conflict between Israel and Gaza, these workers were content and had no desire to return home. She added that the program has “changed the perception of Israel for Malawi as a nation.”
At the inaugural Africa-Israel Parliamentary Summit in Ethiopia earlier this month, Chitsulo told The Media Line that many young Malawians finish school without job prospects. She said that working in Israel offers a win-win solution, especially given Israel’s labor shortage following restrictions on Palestinian workers after October 7.
Now the people of Malawi know Israel is really good, and we are not ashamed to talk about it
“Now the people of Malawi know Israel is really good, and we are not ashamed to talk about it,” Chitsulo said. “People now know that Israel is a friend indeed.”
This labor exchange is not the first collaboration between the two countries. Malawi and Israel have a long-standing partnership between the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Kinneret College in the Galilee. The program offers an 11-month internship, where students learn to manage intensive and sustainable farming systems and gain experience in processing and marketing produce.
Chitsulo also mentioned past collaborations between Malawi and Israel on defense and intelligence training.
Uganda has a similar relationship with Israel. Ugandan lawmaker Achan Judith Peace told The Media Line that her country has collaborated with Israel “not only spiritually but also economically.”
Peace said Uganda and Israel have worked together in agriculture and defense. Last September, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on defense, focusing on cybersecurity.
Peace, who also attended the parliamentary summit in Ethiopia, said she was grateful for the opportunity to “learn from colleagues from Israel.”
The relationship between Africa and Israel is growing stronger every day thanks to men and women of faith
Josh Reinstein, president of the Israel Allies Foundation, noted that ties between Israel and African nations are growing stronger.
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Malawian Member of Parliament Joyce Chitsulo
(Photo: Maayan Hoffman / The Media Line)
“The relationship between Africa and Israel is growing stronger every day thanks to men and women of faith who are transforming their biblical support for Israel into real political action,” he told The Media Line.
Since 2020, Chitsulo has chaired her parliament’s Israel Allies Caucus, which includes 21 members out of 193 lawmakers. She noted that initially, only a small number of parliamentarians openly supported Israel, but the labor agreement has boosted support.
She noted that Malawi is a majority-Christian country with a reverend as president. The president “knows the value and beauty of being friends with Israel,” she said.
President Lazarus Chakwera assumed office in June 2020, the same time Chitsulo began her role. Before Chakwera, Malawi was led by Muslim president Peter Mutharika, who was disinterested in working with Israel and often gave anti-Israel speeches. The country’s relationship with Israel has improved significantly since Chakwera took office.
Last week, Malawi was one of just 14 countries that voted against a United Nations General Assembly resolution demanding that Israel withdraw from the West Bank.
In April, Malawi opened its embassy in Tel Aviv amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Chitsulo mentioned that the president plans to move the embassy to Jerusalem, and she is confident it will happen if he is reelected. “He is the kind of person who was praying for Jerusalem before he became president,” she said. “He knows the significance.”
Malawi is a poor country. We may not have resources but thank God, we have peace.
Chitsulo, a Christian, said that before chairing the caucus, she prayed for Israel but had never visited. Now, after seeing Israel firsthand, she feels even more inspired to support the country and help it face the challenges posed by its enemies. She also said that her time in Israel made her appreciate Malawi more, despite its poverty, as it is relatively peaceful.
“Malawi is a poor country. We may not have resources but thank God, we have peace,” she said. “God gave Israel resources. We need Israel to help support us [economically]. We can offer prayers so you can have the peace you need.” She expressed her deepest wish that “peace will rain down on Israel.”