Israel’s opposition leader Yair Lapid criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday over Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland, saying the move lacked cabinet approval and reflected a failure of foreign policy planning.
Speaking before the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, Lapid said the recognition announced on Friday had not been authorised by the cabinet or the National Security Council.
“Israel declared itself the first country to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state,” Lapid said. “But this was not a government decision. It was a decision made solely by the prime minister’s office.”
Lapid said the move had triggered diplomatic backlash from African, Arab and regional states, exposing what he described as the absence of a coherent Israeli foreign policy.
Netanyahu announced the recognition on Dec. 26 following the signing of a mutual recognition statement between Israel and Somaliland. He said Israel would expand cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, healthcare, technology and trade, framing the move as consistent with the spirit of the Abraham Accords.
Somalia’s federal government immediately rejected Israel’s decision, calling it a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and vowed to pursue diplomatic and legal action.
Regional and international reactions followed swiftly. Turkey, Egypt and Djibouti condemned the move, warning it could destabilise the Horn of Africa. The African Union reaffirmed its longstanding position supporting Somalia’s territorial unity.
The European Union urged respect for Somalia’s sovereignty and encouraged dialogue between Mogadishu and Somaliland. China also criticised the decision, with its foreign ministry warning against support for separatist movements based on narrow political interests.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not been internationally recognised. Somalia and its allies argue that Israel’s move violates international law and African Union principles on inherited borders.