Israel Recognizes Somaliland

Date: December 26, 2025 • Location: Jerusalem, Israel

Israel recognises Somaliland as an independent state, becoming the first country to do so.

On 26 December 2025, the State of Israel became the first country and UN member state to officially recognise the Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign and independent state. Somaliland regards itself as the legal successor of the State of Somaliland, whose five-day independence in 1960 was also recognised by Israel and 34 other countries. The entirety of modern Somaliland's territory is claimed but not controlled by Somalia, which does not officially recognise Israel.