Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared with pride Monday that Israel is the first nation on Earth to officially recognize Somaliland, as he hosted President Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi for a landmark summit in Jerusalem.
The leaders began with a private one-on-one meeting before expanding to delegations from both sides. They concluded the encounter by signing a joint declaration to deepen cooperation and delivered powerful statements outlining a bold new partnership.
In one of the most memorable lines of the day, Prime Minister Netanyahu declared:
“Israel and Somaliland are located at opposite ends of the Red Sea, yet we are united in the belief that freedom, democracy, and opportunity are stronger than extremism, terror, and chaos.”
Netanyahu hailed the meeting as “a historic moment” — the first official visit by a Somaliland president to Israel since the country became the first in the world to formally recognize Somaliland.“
This reflects a deep spiritual connection between our peoples,” Netanyahu said. “The Jewish people understand what it means to have ancient history, a distinct identity, and an unbreakable national spirit — yet still fight for recognition. Today, Israel is helping to correct a historic injustice.”
The Israeli leader outlined ambitious plans for collaboration in water management, agriculture, technology, security, healthcare, and economic development. He praised Somaliland’s decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem, calling it a powerful act of reciprocal recognition.“
Welcome to Israel. Welcome to Jerusalem, our capital,” Netanyahu told the delegation. “May we go from strength to strength.”
He added that the partnership goes far beyond diplomacy:
“It is about building farms, hospitals, businesses, technologies, and jobs. It is about turning societies into prosperous ones for both our peoples. The enemies of peace build tunnels, missiles, and terror armies. We will build something stronger — partnerships, innovation, a future of hope and security.”
The meeting marks a significant diplomatic breakthrough for Somaliland, a nation in the Horn of Africa, as Israel’s pioneering move positions it as a trailblazer, with Netanyahu predicting that other nations will soon follow.
Both sides expressed optimism that this new friendship, anchored in shared democratic values and a rejection of extremism, will usher in a new era of stability and prosperity across the Red Sea region.