Interior Minister Eli Yishai calls on Israel to immediately begin negotiations with the new country in order to return the thousands of refugees and migrant workers who had crossed into Israel over the past years.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday Israel's official recognition of South Sudan as an independent state.
'I announce here that Israel recognizes South Sudan,' Netanyahu told his cabinet in broadcast remarks. 'We wish it success. It is a peace-seeking country and we would be happy to cooperate with it in order to ensure its development and prosperity.' Read more
