Israel's involvement in the Congo, 1958–1968: Civilian and military dimensions

By 1958 Israel considered ties with the Congo one of its most important economic and foreign policy objectives on the African continent. Yet, previous accounts of Israel's activities in Africa during the 1960s have left its relations with the Congo unexplored. This article examines the civilian and military dimensions of Israeli involvement in the Congo from 1958 to 1968, focusing primarily upon Israel's relationship with the regime in Leopoldville (renamed Kinshasa in 1966). This study evaluates the success of Israeli civilian assistance but demonstrates that Israel's principal contribution to the survival of pro?Western rule in the Congo remained that of significant military assistance which it extended to that regime both before and after Mobutu's 1965 coup.