The Rwandan government has thanked Israel for sending a message of solidarity during the 32nd commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, as both countries reaffirmed their diplomatic ties and cooperation.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe, expressed appreciation following a telephone conversation with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
“Thank you, Gideon Sa’ar, for the message of solidarity with us during the 32nd commemoration period, as well as for the good discussions we had, where we talked about security issues in our respective regions,” Nduhungirehe said. “I am ready to further strengthen our relations through continuous dialogue and exchanges of visits.”
Israel reiterated its solidarity with Rwanda during the commemoration period, with Sa’ar saying his country stands with Rwanda as it remembers the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
In a post on social media on Friday, April 10, 2026, Sa’ar said he had a “good conversation” with his Rwandan counterpart, expressing solidarity “on behalf of the Government and people of Israel.”
He also invited Nduhungirehe to visit Israel, saying the visit would help strengthen bilateral relations. The two ministers discussed regional security issues in both East Africa and the Middle East, according to both sides.
Sa’ar also said they discussed concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, arguing it should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and should be addressed through diplomatic means.
Israel’s message of solidarity came as Rwanda entered a week of national mourning on April 7, marking the start of 100 days of remembrance for the genocide against the Tutsi, in which more than one million people were killed in 1994.
Rwanda and Israel maintain close diplomatic relations, with cooperation in areas including genocide remembrance and efforts to combat genocide ideology. The two countries also reference shared historical experiences, including the Holocaust during World War II, in which six million Jews were killed.
