Somalia’s Diplomatic Push for Palestine Continues at Arab League and UN Forums

CAIRO — Somalia has once again reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, participating in high-level Arab League meetings in Cairo where Arab states called for stronger international action over Israeli measures in occupied Jerusalem.

Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali represented Somalia at the 166th Ordinary Session of the Council of the League of Arab States at the ministerial level, which addressed the Palestinian cause alongside regional peace, security and cooperation. Somalia also took part in the 11th meeting of the Arab Ministerial Committee on Illegal Israeli Measures in Occupied Jerusalem, reaffirming its support for Palestinians and collective Arab diplomatic efforts.

The Jerusalem committee called for stronger political and diplomatic pressure on Israel to halt what it described as violations against holy sites and urged greater engagement with the UN Security Council. It also agreed to strengthen cooperation with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, with a joint Arab-Islamic ministerial meeting on Jerusalem expected to take place during the high-level week of the UN General Assembly in New York later this month.

Jerusalem Committee and Diplomatic Coordination

The committee welcomed a Qatari initiative to establish a mechanism, including a media platform, to document and publicise alleged Israeli violations in Jerusalem. It condemned plans for 1,234 settlement units under the E1 plan east of Jerusalem, warning that the project could further undermine the territorial continuity of a future Palestinian state.

Somalia’s participation carries added diplomatic weight because it is currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and is part of the Arab ministerial committee dealing with Jerusalem. The committee includes Somalia alongside Jordan, Iraq, Tunisia, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Qatar, Egypt, Morocco and Bahrain.

Somalia has consistently participated in Arab League meetings on Palestine, with Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre attending a previous emergency meeting of Arab heads of state in Cairo focused on finding a just and sustainable solution to the critical issues facing the region.

Somalia has also welcomed international moves to recognize Palestine, including France’s announcement of its intention to officially recognize the State of Palestine, describing the move as a courageous and principled step in support of international law, justice, and peace in the Middle East.

The Cairo meetings also come amid deepening coordination between Somalia and Egypt on regional issues, with both governments viewing Israeli recognition of Somaliland as a direct threat to regional stability and Somali territorial integrity.

The Arab League has strongly condemned Israel’s growing influence in the Horn of Africa, including reports that Israel has established an intelligence presence at Berbera International Airport in Somaliland and is holding discussions about the possible creation of an Israeli military base.

Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) has opened an embassy in Jerusalem, making it the second Muslim-majority entity to do so. The move has drawn condemnation from 19 Muslim-majority countries, which issued a joint statement condemning the move as “illegal, unacceptable, and a flagrant violation of international law and United Nations resolutions.”

The Arab League Secretary-General previously condemned any move by Somaliland to open an embassy in Jerusalem, describing such a move as legally null and void and an unacceptable provocation to both the Arab and Islamic world.

Critical Note

Somalia’s participation in the Arab League meetings and its strong stance on Jerusalem and Palestine reflect the country’s continued commitment to the Palestinian cause and its role in Arab diplomatic coordination. As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Somalia’s voice carries additional weight in international forums.

However, Somalia’s diplomatic position on Palestine must be balanced against its own regional challenges. The country faces a complex security environment, including the ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab, the resurgence of piracy off its coast, and tensions with Somaliland. While Somalia’s support for Palestine is principled and consistent, its ability to translate this diplomatic stance into tangible benefits for its own people remains limited.

The Cairo meetings also highlight the delicate balance Somalia must strike in its foreign policy, navigating between Arab solidarity on Palestine and its own strategic interests, including relations with Gulf states, Turkey, and Ethiopia. As Somalia prepares for the UN General Assembly high-level meetings, the government must ensure that its diplomatic engagement on Palestine is matched by progress on its own domestic challenges.