Israeli President Isaac Herzog hosted his counterpart from the separatist region of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi, in Jerusalem on Sunday.
"Both our countries acted with courage and realism. Israel recognized Somaliland as an independent state, which has been a reality on the ground for several decades," Herzog said at a joint press conference.
"Only one country wants to see us and recognize Somaliland, and that is the government of Israel and its people," said Mr. Abdillahi at the same press conference, during which the two leaders toasted each other with orange juice.
A number of countries have rejected Israel's recognition of Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, as an independent nation, the first such recognition by a country in more than 30 years.
Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, during a period of conflict that continues to destabilize this East African country.
Despite having its own government and currency, Somaliland had never been recognized by any country until Israel did so in December 2025.
