An official delegation from Somaliland is set to arrive in Israel on Sunday, according to a statement from the NGO Sharaka released on Thursday.
Sharaka, which is facilitating the visit, is a non-governmental, non-profit, and apolitical project established by social entrepreneurs from the Arab world and Israel to promote peace. It is jointly led from its offices in Israel, Bahrain and Morocco, and has advisers and volunteers from around the Arab and Muslim world and throughout the US and Europe.
During the six-day visit, the delegation will be briefed on the history of the Jewish people and the State of Israel, as well as the state's government institutions, civil infrastructure, academic institutions, and technological advances. There will also be an emphasis on combatting antisemitism and Holocaust education.
The trip will include visits to Yad Vashem, the Old City of Jerusalem, the Gaza border area - including the site of the Nova massacre - and the Bedouin city of Rahat.
This follows Israel's official recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign nation, and constitutes a "significant historical milestone in relations between the countries," according to Sharaka's statement.
Sharaka CEO Noam Meirov also added that the group is "proud to be taking part in reshaping the region by strengthening the moderate elements in their struggle against extremist forces led by the ayatollahs and the Muslim Brotherhood."
Israel sends FM to Somaliland after official recognition of nascent state
On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar visited Somaliland, where he met with President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
Sa’ar traveled at the invitation of Somaliland’s president, making him the first senior Israeli diplomat to visit the country since Israel recognized it. No other UN members recognize Somaliland.
Sa’ar also met other senior officials, including Somaliland Foreign Affairs Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adam, Presidency Minister Khadar Hussein Abdi, and Chief of Staff Brig.-Gen. Nimcaan Yusuf Osman.
Ohad Merlin, Amichai Stein, and Miriam Sela-Eitam contributed to this report.