Saudi Arabia, Arab, Islamic States Condemn Somaliland’s Jerusalem ‘Embassy’
Saudi Arabia, alongside a number of Arab and Islamic officials, denounced Somaliland’s “illegal and unacceptable” move to inaugurate a purported “embassy” in occupied Jerusalem, according to Al Arabiya.
Embassy in Jerusalem
In a unified Arab and Islamic stance, Saudi Arabia joined Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Djibouti, Somalia, Palestine, Oman, Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon and Mauritania in issuing a joint statement on the matter.
The foreign ministers labeled the step as a “flagrant violation of international law and relevant international resolutions,” warning that it can be considered as a direct assault on the legal and historic status of occupied Jerusalem.
The statement firmly dismissed any unilateral actions seeking to alter the status of Jerusalem, while affirming unwavering support for international resolutions governing the occupied city.
At the same time, they reaffirmed their “full support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Somalia.
Appointment of Ambassador
In April, Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that Israel has appointed its first ambassador to Somaliland.
The appointment came months after formally recognizing the self-declared republic in the Horn of Africa.
Official Recognition
In December, Israel formally recognized Somaliland as a sovereign state, marking the first nation to sign a joint declaration with Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
The Foreign Ministry announced that Michael Lotem, who currently serves as Israel’s roving economic ambassador to Africa, has been appointed as the country’s envoy to Somaliland.
He previously served as ambassador to Kenya, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
Somaliland
Somaliland became part of the Somali Republic in 1960, but then broke away in 1991, declaring independence and establishing a de facto state.
Despite having informal diplomatic ties with multiple nations, Somaliland’s sovereignty had never been recognized by any permanent UN member state until Friday, December 26.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the recognition as a significant step towards “expanding our partnership. We intend to work together with you on economic fields, on agriculture, and the fields of social development.”
The announcement of recognition drew strong condemnations and sparked several concerns regionally and internationally.
In January, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Somalia’s breakaway region Somaliland, sparking regional and international denouncement, describing it as an “unauthorized incursion.”
Consequently, Somaliland announced the appointment of Mohamed Hagi as its ambassador to Israel in February.
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