Chad broke off relations with Israel in 1972 Chad plays a key role in combatting militant groups in the Sahara Israel and Chad have renewed diplomatic ties decades after they were ruptured, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday during a visit to the African state. Netanyahu and Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno have "announced the renewal of diplomatic relations between Chad and Israel", a statement from the Israeli premier"s office said. Ties between Israel and the Muslim majority nation were broken in 1972.