Diplomatic Events

 Historic visit to Israel by the President of the Republic of Somaliland
In appreciation of Israel being the first country to recognize Somaliland, there was a historic visit by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi. There was a busy schedule with many events held across a few days to make the most of the occasion.

President Herzog Hosts the President of Somaliland on His First State Visit to Israel

On June 14, 2026, President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog hosted President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi of the Republic of Somaliland and First Lady Fardowsa Mohamed Roble on their first-ever visit to Israel.

The President and First Lady of Somaliland were received with an official welcome ceremony at the President’s Residence, together with their senior delegation accompanying the visit. The two Presidents then held a private meeting and delivered statements to the media. President Herzog and the First Lady then hosted the President and First Lady of Somaliland and their delegation for an official state luncheon at the President’s Residence

President Isaac Herzog: “We both face the threat of radical extremism. We both seek security and stability in the region and in the Horn of Africa. We both see the importance of protecting maritime freedom.”

 President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi: “I stand here with the greetings, the thanks, the appreciation of six million Somaliland Muslims.”

  *The Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar met with the President of Somaliland Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem*

 Somaliland is the 8th county to open an Embassy in Jerusalem and is important as it is a Muslim nation.

Previously, on May 18, 2026, President Isaac Herzog formally received the diplomatic credentials of the first-ever Ambassador of Somaliland to Israel, Dr. Mohamed Hagi,

Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland in 1960, and again, after 35 years of independence and sovereignty, Israel again became the first country that recognized Somaliland. 

The meeting was opened with statements to the media by the Minister and President.

 *Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar revealed behind the scenes relations with Somaliland: "This is our second meeting in this room. We met here discretely last October. I will always be proud of the privilege I had to write, with you and your people, the first pages in the story of the Israel-Somaliland relationship. I am certain this partnership will continue to grow stronger for the benefit of both our nations.*

 Minister of Foreign Affairs Sa'ar's full statement:

“It's an honor to welcome my dear friend, the President of Somaliland, to Jerusalem.

Mr. President, this is our second meeting in this room. We met here discretely last October, but the media didn’t know at the time. So we’re revealing that now.

Today, you're here on a historic State Visit as the President of Somaliland - six months after we established relations that continue to deepen and strengthen.

I am proud of the role I had in establishing these ties - through the dialogue that took place during 2025 with you, Mr. President - and with your distinguished team.

In those talks, we found a mutual desire for a relationship based on respect, friendship, and cooperation for the benefit of both nations.

I also want to thank you for hosting me in Hargeisa in January.

During that visit, I felt the warmth and hospitality shown by you, your team, and the people of Somaliland.

Along the roads from the Presidential Palace to the airport , I saw with my own eyes the feelings of the people of Somaliland toward Israel.

Mr. President,

Thank you for your historic decision to open the Embassy of Somaliland here in Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people.

We deeply appreciate Somaliland becoming the eighth country to take this important step.

I believe more countries will follow suit in the near future.

President Trump made a bold decision when he recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moved the U.S. Embassy here in 2018.

We are grateful that Somaliland has chosen to walk the same path of truth, friendship, and moral clarity.

Mr. President, there are indeed challenges in building the relationship between Israel and Somaliland.

Unfortunately, there are many trying to undermine it. They will not be successful.

But both of us are determined to continue advancing this partnership.

No one will decide for Israel - and no one will decide for Somaliland - who we conduct diplomatic relations with.

The great strength of this relationship is that it exists not only between governments.

It's a friendship between peoples.

It exists in the hearts of the peoples.

Mr. President, I am convinced that during your visit, you too will feel the deep feelings of our people.

I will always be proud of the privilege I had to write, with you and your people, the first pages in the story of the Israel-Somaliland relationship.

I am certain this partnership will continue to grow stronger for the benefit of both our nations.

On Tuesday, 16 June 2026, at 17:30, the President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi, visited the Knesset.with a senior delegation. They were greeted by an official welcome ceremony in the Weil Courtyard and the President signed the Knesset guestbook in the Chaggall State Hall.

 President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Received Friends of Zion Award in Jerusalem

Following the Knesset visit, the President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi, received the Friends of Zion Award at the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem.

 The ceremony was attended by diplomats, business leaders, Christian leaders, and distinguished guests from Israel and abroad

It was presented by Dr. Mike Evans, Founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center, in recognition of the opening of Somaliland’s Embassy in Jerusalem and Somaliland’s burgeoning friendship for the State of Israel.

This comes out of an appreciation for Israel being the first country and UN member state to officially recognise the Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign and independent country. Evans was keen to stress that he wants other countries, especially America to follow suit.

“I intend to speak with the U.S. President Donald Trump about the importance of formal American recognition of Somaliland,” he said.

In front of a room filled with diplomats, business leaders, and distinguished guests from Israel and around the world.

In a heartfelt speech, President Abdillahi expressed his appreciation for the honor:

“It is a great honor to receive the Friends of Zion Award. I am deeply grateful for this recognition, which reflects the growing friendship and strengthening ties between Somaliland and Israel. We remain committed to deepening the relationship between our peoples and building a future founded on cooperation, mutual respect, and friendship. I thank Dr. Mike Evans and Friends of Zion for this distinguished honor.”

Dr. Mike Evans praised President Abdillahi’s leadership and commitment to advancing relations with Israel, comparing Israel’s place in the Middle East to Somaliland's place in Afric calling Somaliland the Israel of Africa.

“At a time when Israel faces significant security and diplomatic challenges, genuine friendship carries special meaning. President Abdillahi has demonstrated leadership, courage, and vision in strengthening ties with Israel and fostering closer relations between our peoples. The opening of an embassy in Jerusalem sends a powerful message of friendship, mutual respect, and cooperation.On behalf of millions of Friends of Zion supporters worldwide, we are proud to present President Abdillahi with this award and recognize his commitment to the historic and enduring relationship between the Jewish people and the State of Israel.”

 Representing the State of Israel was the chief of Protocol  Ambassador Gil Haskel.

 On Wednesday, June 17, at the Save a Child’s Heart Center, Holon, the President of the Republic of Somaliland, had a special visit to 'Save a Child’s Heart'. There the President met children from Somaliland currently receiving life-saving cardiac treatment in Israel.  *For more than two decades, long before Israel’s historic recognition of Somaliland, Save a Child’s Heart has provided life-saving care to dozens of children from Somaliland.

Following this, the delegation went to the Dan Tel Aviv Hotel to attend the first Israel–Somaliland Business Forum. It was attended by H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi, President of the Republic of Somaliland and his senior delegation. The forum featured remarks by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi and Mr. Eden Bar Tal, Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs*, and brought together senior officials, investors, and company representatives.

 Diplomacy.co.il congratulates the President of Somaliland, H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi and his delegation on this historic visit to the State of Israel. May it take the friendship and collaboration between the two countries to new levels