Somaliland

Grapevine, May 21, 2026: New face on the diplomatic circuit

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

|ByGREER FAY CASHMAN
This aerial view shows residents waving Somaliland flags as they gather to celebrate Israel's announcement recognising Somaliland's statehood in downtown Hargeisa, on December 26, 2025.
President Isaac Herzog shakes hands with Somaliland’s first ambassador to Israel, Dr. Mohamed Hagi, after receiving his credentials at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, May 18, 2026.

Somaliland embassy to be based in Jerusalem, newly inaugurated ambassador says

Somaliland announced it will open its embassy in Jerusalem, while Israel will establish its embassy in Hargeisa, marking growing ties and strategic cooperation between the two nations.

|ByJAMES GENN
President Isaac Herzog shakes hands with Somaliland’s first ambassador to Israel, Dr. Mohamed Hagi, after receiving his credentials at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, May 18, 2026.

Somaliland’s first ambassador to Israel welcomed by Herzog in historic ceremony

President says new partnership will promote cooperation “for the benefit of both our peoples and the entire region.”

|ByTOBIAS SIEGAL, GREER FAY CASHMAN
AVI STUDENTS and stakeholders join for a flag-planting ceremony outside AVI headquarters in October 2024.

If these flags could talk - opinion

There is a prevailing narrative that Israel is alone, but that is not true.

|ByDANIEL KOREN

Somaliland delegation to arrive in Israel on Sunday following FM Sa'ar's historic visit

The trip will include visits to Yad Vashem, the Old City of Jerusalem, the Gaza border area - including the site of the Nova massacre - and the Bedouin city of Rahat.  

JANUARY 8, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Residents wave Somaliland flags as they gather to celebrate Israel's announcement recognising Somaliland's statehood in downtown Hargeisa, on December 26, 2025.

African Union calls on Israel to revoke Somaliland recognition amid Sa'ar visit

"The (AU) Council strongly condemns, in the strongest terms, the unilateral recognition of the so-called 'Republic of Somaliland' by Israel," it said in a post on X after a ministerial meeting.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByREUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar meets with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi in first diplomatic visit to Somaliland on January 6, 2026.

Gideon Sa’ar in Somaliland, Palestinian embassy in London - January 6, 2026

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise. 

JANUARY 6, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST PODCASTS
Illustrative image of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar.

With Somaliland recognition, Israel shapes global reality instead of just reacting to it - opinion

For the first time in years, Israel is signaling a strategic rethink, seeing the environment it operates in not as isolated threats but as one interconnected geopolitical system across the region.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByYARON BUSKILA
The flag of Somaliland is seen during a campaign rally of the main opposition party Waddani in Hargeisa on November 8, 2024, ahead of the 2024 Somaliland presidential election.

In first visit, Sa'ar says Somaliland 'not a virtual state' in jab at Palestinian state recognition

Sa'ar is the first Israeli official to visit Somaliland since Jerusalem recognized its independence on December 26.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN, MIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar meets with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi in first diplomatic visit to Somaliland on January 6, 2026.

Defending persecuted Christians strengthens Israel - opinion

Defending persecuted Christians strengthens Israel’s security, influence, and regional position.

JANUARY 5, 2026ByPESACH WOLICKI
A woman raises her hands during a mass prayer with the one thousand Christian Pastors on the southern steps of the Western Wall in Jerusalem on December 4, 2025.

Somaliland chose peace, the world chose to look away - opinion

In a region scarred by war, one society chose reconciliation. Why does global diplomacy ignore Somaliland?

JANUARY 3, 2026BySHMUEL LEGESSE
Residents wave Somaliland flags as they gather to celebrate Israel's announcement recognising Somaliland's statehood in downtown Hargeisa, on December 26, 2025.

Somaliland exists: recognition is about truth, not favor - opinion

Nadifa Mohamed’s novel and Israel’s recognition of Somaliland show why acknowledging marginalized lives is a matter of justice.

JANUARY 3, 2026ByNANCY HARTEVELT KOBRIN
A woman dressed in Somaliland's flag colours parades to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of their Independence in Hargeisa, Somaliland, May 18, 2024.

Why Somaliland works and the international system pretends it does not - opinion

Recognizing Somaliland would establish three principles the international order is not yet prepared to tolerate: performance matters, secession can stabilize, and colonial borders are not sacred.

JANUARY 2, 2026ByDAN PERRY
This aerial view shows residents waving Somaliland flags as they gather to celebrate Israel's announcement recognising Somaliland's statehood in downtown Hargeisa, on December 26, 2025.

Statehood hypocrisy: Why it's no for Somaliland, Kurdistan, but yes for Palestine - opinion

Israel broke a diplomatic taboo by recognizing Somaliland and triggered a predictable storm of outrage and conspiracy theories.

JANUARY 2, 2026BySUZAN QUITAZ
A LARGE ‘Free Palestine’ sign is seen at a soccer game in Istanbul, Turkey, in late 2025. It is hypocritical that countries supporting calls for Palestinian statehood often oppose recognition for Somaliland and Kurdistan, the writer says.