Khalil al-Hayya speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, in Istanbul, Turkey. AP
The Palestinian resistance group rejected the exchange of recognition, calling it “a dangerous precedent and an unacceptable attempt to gain false legitimacy from a fascist entity occupying the land of Palestine, implicated in war crimes and genocide, and facing growing international isolation.”
It further emphasized its "categorical rejection of the occupation’s plans to forcibly displace our people, including the use of Somaliland as a destination for the people of Gaza".
All Palestinian factions, backed by Arab and Islamic states, have rejected all Israeli attempts to displace the native population in Gaza and the occupied territories from their homeland during and after the Gaza war.
The breakaway region of Somaliland declared independence in 1991, but it had not received recognition from any country until Israel officially recognized it on Friday.
Since taking office last year, Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi has failed to secure any international recognition for his self-proclaimed entity.
Israel's Channel 12 reported that in October, President Abdullahi made a secret visit to Israel, where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mossad chief David Barnea, and Defense Minister Israel Katz. The initial discussions centered around the potential resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza to Somaliland, a topic that surfaced publicly in August. However, the relationship later evolved into broader strategic cooperation, according to the report.
Somalia, backed by Arab, African, and Islamic states, has reaffirmed its sovereignty over the entire territory of the country, charging that Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region undermines international law, risks emboldening separatist movements, and could further destabilize the region.
In its statement, Hamas called for stronger international efforts to isolate Israel diplomatically and economically, along with accountability for its leaders over the atrocities committed in Gaza.
Hamas also praised Arab and Islamic nations for condemning Israel’s actions, which they view as a violation of international law and an attack on Somalia’s sovereignty.
Earlier on Saturday, Egypt, Somalia, Turkey, and Djibouti were among the countries warning that Israel’s recognition undermines Somalia's territorial integrity and risks destabilizing the Horn of Africa.
The African Union (AU) also rejected Israel’s move and warned that it risked "setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent". Somaliland "remains an integral part" of Somalia, an AU member, said the pan-African body's head Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.
Later on Saturday, Egypt and a cross-regional group of Arab, African and Islamic countries issued a joint statement strongly condemning Israel’s recognition of the so-called “Somaliland” region of the Federal Republic of Somalia, warning that the move poses serious threats to peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea and beyond.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said on Saturday that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had violated established diplomatic and legal norms following Israel’s recognition of the self-proclaimed independence of Somaliland.
Sheikh Mohamud emphasized that the Somali people are one and indivisible, stressing his country's commitment to its territorial integrity and sovereignty and rejecting any attempts to undermine them, according to Agence France-Presse.
Hamas further warned that Israel’s “malicious Zionist policies” are designed to divide Arab nations, interfere in their internal affairs, and advance its colonial project at the expense of Palestinian and regional sovereignty.
In response to Israel’s recognition, the Arab League announced it would convene an emergency meeting on Sunday to address the matter, following a formal request from Somalia.
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