Egypt, 14 countries jointly condemn Somaliland move to open embassy in Jerusalem

CAIRO – 24 May 2026: Egypt and 14 other countries condemned “in the strongest terms the illegal and unacceptable step taken by the so-called ‘Somaliland’ region in opening a purported ‘embassy’ in occupied Jerusalem.”

The foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Türkiye, Pakistan, Indonesia, Djibouti, Somalia, Palestine, Oman, Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon and Mauritania denounced the move in a joint statement on Sunday.

They reiterated their full rejection of any unilateral measures aimed at “entrenching an illegal reality in occupied Jerusalem or conferring legitimacy on any entities or arrangements that contravene international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.”

The statement reaffirmed the fact that “East Jerusalem has been occupied Palestinian territory since 1967” and said any measures seeking to alter its legal or historical status are “null and void” and carry “no legal effect.”

The ministers also expressed full support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, rejecting any unilateral actions that undermine Somali sovereignty.

Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, in December, a move that drew widespread international condemnation.

Somaliland’s envoy to Israel Mohamed Hagi, who recently presented his credentials to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, said last week that the region’s first-ever embassy would open in Jerusalem.

Seven countries have opened embassies in Jerusalem since the United States, under President Donald Trump, recognized the city as Israel’s capital in 2017, a decision that sparked widespread international condemnation and complicated efforts toward a two-state solution.