by Danielle Greyman-Kennard, December 26, 2025

Israel becomes first UN member state to recognize Somaliland, Netanyahu declares

Netanyahu congratulated Somaliland president H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi and praised his leadership and commitment to security, stability and peace.

Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially recognized Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, the Prime Minister’s Office announced Friday, making Israel the first UN member state to recognize the nation as a sovereign state.

Together with foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar and the Somaliland president, Netanyahu signed a joint and mutual declaration on Friday.

Netanyahu congratulated Somaliland president H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi and praised his leadership and commitment to security, stability and peace.

Netanyahu also invited Abdillahi to make an official visit to Israel. Netanyahu said the declaration “is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of president Trump.”

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