New Somaliland ambassador says ties with Israel are ‘strategic’

The relationship between Israel and Somaliland is “strategic,” says Somaliland’s first ambassador Mohamed Hagi as he presents his diplomatic credentials to President Isaac Herzog.

“We have built a great relationship,” he says, according to the President’s Residence, “which is a strategic one that will pave the way forward on many things in all domains, whether that is development, political cooperation, security cooperation, and, of course, the people-to-people relationship.”

Hagi says that Somaliland’s people “very much appreciate that Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland in 1960, and again, after 35 years of independence and sovereignty, Israel again became the first country that recognized Somaliland.”

“Our relationship is unique because it’s not just about two governments, it’s about the people of Israel and the people of Somaliland,” he continues. “In Somaliland, you can see lots of Israeli flags and people waving them in the streets and in rural areas as well.”

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also hosts Hagi after he presented his credentials to Herzog.

Sa’ar says that he congratulated Hagi on Somaliland’s Independence Day today.

“I’ll continue building the relationship with Somaliland!” writes Sa’ar on X.

Another meaningful day on the path we’re paving together.

Glad to host at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem Somaliland’s first Ambassador to Israel, Dr. Mohamed Hagi @AmbMohamedHagi.

I congratulated him on presenting his credentials to the President of the State of Israel and… pic.twitter.com/8YRb6ZOcjt

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) May 18, 2026