From the Liveblog of
Saturday, December 27, 2025
21 mostly Muslim countries sign statement condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland; Abraham Accords nations abstain
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
A group of 21 mostly Muslim countries – including Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iran, as well as the Palestinian Authority – come together to reject in a joint statement Israel’s recognition of Somaliland on Friday.
Notably, the three countries that normalized ties with Israel in 2020 — the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco — do not sign the statement, and neither do Lebanon and Syria.
The 21 countries and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation warn about “the serious repercussions of such unprecedented measure[s] on peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and its serious effects on international peace and security as a whole, which also reflects Israel’s full and blatant disregard for international law.”
The statement also contends that “the recognition of parts of states constitutes a serious precedent and threatens international peace and security, and violates the cardinal principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.”
The countries also reject any attempts to expel Palestinians from Gaza.
Somaliland has been floated as a potential home for Gazans who emigrate from the war-torn Strip.
The Times of Israel Community.