Israeli officials have been focusing their diplomatic efforts on the west African state of Gabon, which remains undecided on how to vote regarding the Palestinian statehood bid at the United Nations Security Council.
Fabrick Ombagiyo, son of Gabon's former ambassador to Israel ,explained that most of Gabon's citizens are not concerned with international politics the way Israelis are, and the majority of them are not aware of what goes on in Israel.
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Ombagiyo lived in Israel for about three years, studied in Haifa's Technion and worked for a local company. The 37-year-old Gabonese still keeps in touch with Israeli officials and visits occasionally.
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Given his close ties to Israel Ombagiyo noted that his country is no different than other countries, claiming Gabon will vote according to its political interests. Therefore he thinks Israel's diplomatic efforts will not affect the Gabonese decision makers.
Ombagiyo insisted Gabon has good relations with both the Arab world, Israel and the United States, leading him to believe that his country will abstain from voting and not take sides.
Despite irregular diplomatic relations, ties between Gabon and Israel are deemed good and are reportedly unaffected by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Ombagiyo remarked that both countries have always been friendly, and expressed his wish to return Gabon's ambassador to Israel in the future.
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