Foreign Minister Gideon Saar met today (Monday) in Jerusalem with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. At the start of the meeting, both leaders delivered statements to the press—and Saar revealed details about the secret contacts that preceded the establishment of relations between Israel and Somaliland.
“This is our second meeting in this room. We met here discreetly in October,” Saar said, disclosing that Somaliland’s president had come to Israel secretly months before the public recognition and establishment of ties between the countries.
Saar added that the current visit comes about six months after formal relations were established. “I’m proud of the role I played in weaving these relations, in the dialogue that took place throughout 2025 with the president and his close team. In those conversations we discovered the mutual desire for relations based on mutual respect, friendship, and cooperation for the benefit of both peoples.”
He went on to reference his visit to Hargeisa last January and thanked the president for his hospitality. “During that visit I felt the warmth and hospitality of you, your team, and the citizens of Somaliland. On the streets from the presidential palace to the airport, I saw with my own eyes what the people of Somaliland feel toward Israel,” he said.
The foreign minister also welcomed Somaliland’s decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem: “We deeply appreciate Somaliland becoming the eighth country to take this important step.”
According to Saar, despite the difficulties and opposition, both sides are determined to continue advancing the relationship. “There are many trying to sabotage it—they won’t succeed. We are both determined to continue advancing the partnership.”
In closing, Saar said: “I will always be proud of the privilege I had in writing the first pages in the story of the relationship between us. I’m confident this partnership will continue and strengthen for the benefit of both countries.”
Somaliland’s president praised Saar for his role in advancing relations between the countries and declared: “Your vision, commitment, and leadership were a central factor in building and strengthening the developing strategic relations between Somaliland and Israel.”