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Israel-Somalia relations

Edna Adan Ismail is interviewed in Hargeisa, Somaliland on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. (AP/Brian Inganga)
March 2, 2026, 10:43 pm
Nurse to nation-builder, Somaliland’s honorary ‘first lady’ hails ‘natural’ ties with Israel
Edna Adan Ismail, 88, says she was working on forging diplomatic relations with Jerusalem as foreign minister two decades ago, recognizing countries’ shared interests
By Diana Bletter
People protest against Israel’s recognition of the Republic of Somaliland in Mogadishu, Somalia, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP/Farah Abdi Warsameh)
January 9, 2026, 12:46 pm
Hundreds protest Israeli recognition of Somaliland in Mogadishu
Demonstrators wave Somali flags and chant patriotic songs at third such event since Jerusalem became first UN state to recognize independent Somaliland
By Omar Faruk
Residents wave Somali flags at a rally against Israel's recognition of Somaliland at Mogadishu Stadium in Mogadishu on December 30, 2025. (Hassan Ali Elmi/AFP)
December 30, 2025, 8:36 pm
Thousands rally in Somalia against Israeli recognition of Somaliland
Somali president charges that Israel wants to move Gazans to Somaliland, build a military base there and have it join the Abraham Accords; Erdogan decries ‘illegitimate and unacceptable’ decision
By Agencies
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud speaks during the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on September 25, 2025. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)
December 28, 2025, 6:38 pm
Somali president: Israel’s recognition of Somaliland a ‘threat’ to regional stability
Amid wave of condemnations of Israeli move, Taiwan welcomes decision, calling Jerusalem, Taipei and Hargeisa ‘like-minded democratic partners’
By AFP and ToI Staff
New Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, right, is joined by incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, left, as he speaks to reporters after winning the election in Mogadishu, Somalia, February 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh)
July 12, 2022, 12:25 pm
Netanyahu and Somalian president met secretly in 2020, ex-diplomat claims
Amid sporadic reports of warming ties between countries, official says Trump didn’t want the Arab League member in Abraham Accords; Netanyahu’s office does not confirm
By Lazar Berman
Somali President Hassan Sheik Mohamud, in his presidential office at Villa Somalia, Mogadishu, in 2016 (AU-UN IST Photo/Stuart Price/Wikipedia)
July 9, 2022, 11:10 pm
Report: Somali president plans talks with parliament on possible ties with Israel
Earlier this year a diplomat close to Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said his reelection opened door to relations between Mogadishu and Jerusalem
By ToI Staff
Somali President Hassan Sheik Mohamud, in his presidential office at Villa Somalia, Mogadishu, in 2016 (AU-UN IST Photo/Stuart Price/Wikipedia)
May 22, 2022, 4:41 pm
Somali leader who met Netanyahu returns to power, and some see hope of normalization
Group opposing ties with Israel is out, says diplomat after Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s election, but Mogadishu has more pressing issues to cope with
By Lazar Berman
Abdullahi Dool (Facebook)
April 17, 2019, 11:07 am
In exile, Somali official fired for pro-Israel views demands an apology
Top diplomat Abdullahi Dool fled amid fears for his safety after calling Palestinians ‘idiots and losers’; he insists to ToI that ties with Jerusalem are national interest
By Raphael Ahren
New Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, right, is joined by incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, left, as he speaks to reporters after winning the election in Mogadishu, Somalia, February 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh)
April 1, 2019, 2:41 pm
Envoy recalled, official fired as Somalia uniquely abstains on anti-Israel vote
Almost unnoticed, Arab League state made history in Geneva 10 days ago by choosing not to vote against Israel at major global forum. No explanation was given; now heads are rolling
By Raphael Ahren
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets leaders and representatives of African states on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, September 22, 2016. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)
September 23, 2016, 4:05 am
At UN, Netanyahu meets 15 African leaders to talk tech, rapprochement
Israel’s efforts to rekindle ties throughout the continent, including in Muslim-majority states, looms large at global gathering in NY
By ToI Staff
Somali President Hassan Sheik Mohamud, in his presidential office at Villa Somalia, Mogadishu, in 2016 (AU-UN IST Photo/Stuart Price/Wikipedia)
July 5, 2016, 3:29 pm
Somalia’s president recently held first-ever meeting with Israeli PM
More talks expected soon, says official close to President Mohamud, leader of East African Muslim country that never recognized Jewish state
By Raphael Ahren
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