Necessity Over Tradition: The High Stakes of Somaliland Israel Relations 2026

They've waited 34 years for a handshake that never came from the Arab world. Now, Somaliland is turning to Israel for its very survival. Hersi Ali Haji Hassan, chairman of the ruling Waddani party, doesn't see it as a betrayal—he calls it a necessity.

The Geopolitical Shift in Somaliland Israel Relations 2026

In a heated exchange with Al Jazeera on January 7, 2026, Hassan defended the breakaway region's decision to normalize ties with the Jewish state. He dismissed condemnations from the Arab League and the OIC as hypocritical, pointing out that Somaliland has been ignored by its neighbors for over three decades. The interview follows a historic visit to Hargeisa by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar earlier this week.

One of the most pressing concerns for regional powers is the possibility of an Israeli military base at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. When pressed on this, Hassan refused to rule it out, telling reporters to "ask the question when the time comes." For now, he insists the focus remains on diplomatic and economic legitimacy.

Separating Politics from Religion

Addressing the ongoing controversy regarding the Gaza war, Hassan noted that a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in October 2025—championed by President Donald Trump—had changed the landscape. He argued that if countries like Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE can maintain ties with Israel, Somaliland should not be held to a different standard while it seeks the same international standing.