ISRAEL HAYOM (by agreement with JNS)
Somaliland vs. ‘Palestine’
Jason Shvili
December 30, 2025

The State of Israel has become the first member state of the United Nations to recognize the Republic of Somaliland – a courageous and morally correct decision by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu…Somaliland is strategically located in the Gulf of Aden, along the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, across from Yemen, which hosts the Houthis, the Iran-backed terrorist group that has attacked Israel on numerous occasions, and has harassed commercial shipping in the area. Access to Somaliland gives Israel a potential strategic point from which to protect its interests, vis-à-vis threats from Iran, its proxies, and other rival countries that maintain a presence in the region. Israel’s decision to establish full diplomatic relations with Somaliland does not constitute a violation of international law, nor does it present a threat to peace. READ MORE

JPOST Israel steps in to defend Somaliland recognition move at UN amid concerns over Gaza motives Israel’s recognition of Somaliland gives it a potential strategic partner countering Yemen’s Houthis, who during the Gaza war traded blows with Israel and whose attacks on vessels in the Red Sea have disrupted shipping there.

JEWISH INSIDER Israel’s Somaliland recognition rattles Qatar and other critics Jerusalem’s recognition of Somaliland — strategically positioned across the Gulf of Aden from Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen — has left some regional governments on the defensive as Jerusalem moves first

ARUTZ SHEVA US envoy: Israel has full right to recognize Somaliland At the UN Security Council, the US deputy envoy defends Israel’s right to recognize Somaliland and criticizes the Council’s double standards toward the Jewish state.