Algeria ranks fourth among Arab exporters to Israel, with trade exceeding $30 million. Contrary to its government’s opposition to normalization, Algeria’s exports to Israel have significantly increased over recent years, exposing potential hypocrisy. President Tebboune’s recent comments suggest a conditional openness to normalization, reflecting complex regional dynamics. Algeria’s actions contrast sharply with its official stance against Israel, prompting discussions about Arab relations with the nation.
A recent report revealed that Algeria ranks fourth among Arab nations in exporting goods to Israel, despite its government’s public opposition to normalization. The Economic Complexity Observatory (OEC) states that Algeria’s trade with Israel dates back to at least 2017, with total exports exceeding $30 million. The UAE, Jordan, and Egypt lead in exports to Israel ahead of Algeria.
Data indicates that while Algerian exports to Israel saw a steady increase, Israel’s exports to Algeria witnessed a decline. In 2017, Israel exported merely $7,000 to Algeria, and exports dropped from $320,000 in 2008 to the same figure in 2017. In contrast, Algeria’s exports to Israel surged to $30.5 million in 2018, primarily in hydrogen, reflecting an annualized growth rate of 64.1% over the last five years.
Algerian officials remain critical of Israel, condemning Morocco’s restoration of diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020, asserting that such normalization poses risks to Algeria’s national interests. Recently, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune indicated that Algeria might consider normalizing ties if a fully independent Palestinian state is achieved, signaling a potential shift in policy.
Historically, prior Algerian presidents did not oppose relations with Israel but emphasized Palestinian statehood as a priority. This contradictory stance raises questions about Algeria’s commitment to its anti-normalization rhetoric. Despite its government’s public denouncement of Israel, Algeria has been enhancing trade relations, presenting a discrepancy between its policy statements and trade actions.
The findings highlight Algeria’s growing trade relationship with Israel despite its government’s anti-normalization rhetoric. The increase in exports contrasts sharply with Algeria’s criticism of other Arab nations for engaging with Israel. President Tebboune’s conditional openness to normalization further complicates Algeria’s foreign policy, underscoring the tension between public statements and actual economic engagements. Algeria’s position reflects broader regional dynamics, as its leaders navigate complex geopolitical landscapes while pursuing national interests, raising questions about the integrity of anti-normalization stances in the Arab world.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
