Israeli Politicsupdated 1h ago3 min read
MapIsrael Ambassador Michael Lotem Presents Credentials in Somaliland as Arab League Condemns Embassy Plans
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Israeli ambassador Michael Lotem presented credentials to Somaliland President in Hargeisa Israel advances embassy plans in Somaliland, including cornerstone ceremony
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Credentials in Hargeisa
Israel’s first ambassador to Somaliland, Michael Lotem, presented his diplomatic credentials to Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa, and officials also laid a cornerstone for a new Israeli embassy in the city. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar framed the move as part of deepening ties, saying, "Israel is determined to develop and strengthen its relations with Somaliland." Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi received the documents during the ceremony in Hargeisa, and the Israeli Foreign Ministry said the event marked "another important step in strengthening relations between Israel and Somaliland" following mutual recognition on 26 December 2025.
Somalia continued to reject the arrangement, and the League of Arab States said the credentials presentation and the embassy foundation stone were steps that violated Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The League of Arab States Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy condemned the presentation of credentials and the laying of the foundation stone, warning that the steps were a continuation of efforts to partition Somalia and expand Israeli military and political influence off the Gulf of Aden.
Arab League vs Israel
Nabil Fahmy said the Arab League rejected any official or semi-official engagement with Somaliland’s authorities outside the framework of the Somali state’s national sovereignty, and he warned of repercussions for security and stability in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Fahmy also described Israel’s actions as a continuation of efforts rejected and condemned at both the Arab and international levels to establish arrangements with de facto authorities in the north of Somalia to partition Somalia and exploit internal divisions. The Business Insider Africa account said Israel proceeded with plans to open an embassy in Somaliland despite strong opposition from China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and Somalia, and it said the US upheld Israel’s right to establish diplomatic relations while not recognizing Somaliland’s independence.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian warned against encouraging separatist forces, saying, "No country should encourage or support other countries' internal separatist forces for its own selfish interests." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan rejected the recognition, saying, "The preservation of Somalia's unity and integrity under any circumstances is a priority for us."
Regional stakes and next steps
The Council of the League of Arab States held an extraordinary session under the chairmanship of Ambassador Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi and condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland on 26th December 2025, calling it an assault on Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial unity. The Council tasked the General Secretariat with coordinating with the Somali government, the African Union and the United Nations to develop mechanisms to preserve security and stability in the region, and it said it would submit a report on these developments to the Council at its next ministerial session. The Business Insider Africa account said the US continued to defend Israel’s right to conduct diplomatic relations with Somaliland, and it quoted US Deputy Ambassador Tammy Bruce saying, "Israel has the same right to conduct diplomatic relations as any other sovereign state."
Somalia’s position remained that Somaliland is an "integral, inseparable, and inalienable part" of its sovereign territory, and the Arab League warned that the illegal measures do not change that fact. Israel’s side continued to present the embassy plans as strengthening relations, and the Israeli Foreign Ministry said the credentials ceremony followed mutual recognition on 26 December 2025 and marked "another important step in strengthening relations between Israel and Somaliland."