Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel on Monday extended greetings on behalf of the State of Israel to Sierra Leone as the West African nation marked its 65th Independence Day. In a message posted on social media, Haskel said the two countries' relations are built on mutual respect and ongoing cooperation, and she said Israel looks forward to further strengthening ties.
Haskel wrote, "Happy 65th Independence Day to our friends in Sierra Leone! 🇸🇱🇮🇱I am proud of our growing partnership and look forward to an even stronger future together. From Jerusalem to Freetown, sending my best wishes for a wonderful celebration and many more years of progress." The remarks came as Sierra Leone’s national day drew official attention from Jerusalem.
Israel and sierra leone have kept friendly ties since Sierra Leone gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1961, though official relations went into decline after the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Those ties were restored in 1992, giving the current exchange a history that stretches across more than three decades of resumed relations.
Haskel's message was brief, but it pointed to the part of the relationship both sides have tried to preserve: a practical diplomatic line that survived a long break and has been rebuilt since the early 1990s. On a day centered on Sierra Leone's independence, the greeting served as both a celebration and a reminder that the two governments are still working to keep the connection moving forward.
