Somaliland president receives Friends of Israel award in Jerusalem

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, who is on an official visit to Israel, received the Friends of Israel Award on Wednesday evening at a ceremony at the Friends of Israel Heritage Center in Jerusalem. The award was presented by Dr. Mike Evans, founder of the center, to mark Somaliland's opening of an embassy in Jerusalem and to honor its friendship, cooperation, and support for Israel.

The event was attended by members of the presidential delegation, dozens of diplomats, businesspeople, Christian leaders, and public figures from Israel and abroad. Abdullahi said it was a “great honor” to receive the prize and that it reflected “the deep friendship and growing ties between Somaliland and Israel.” He added that Somaliland is committed to strengthening relations and building “a future of cooperation, mutual respect and friendship,” thanking Evans and the Friends of Israel organization for the recognition.

Evans, described as close to President Donald Trump, said that amid Israel's “complex security and political challenges,” strong friendship has special meaning. He praised Abdullahi for “leadership, courage and vision” in advancing ties with Israel, and said the embassy move sends a clear message of “friendship, mutual respect and cooperation.”

Evans also said he was in Mogadishu in October 1993 when the Black Hawk was shot down, and declared that “it is time to bless the nations that bless Israel.” He said Somaliland had shown genuine friendship toward the Jewish state and that he intends to contact Trump to discuss U.S. official recognition of Somaliland. The Friends of Israel Award was founded by Israel's ninth president, Shimon Peres, and has been given over the years to about 26 world leaders who supported Israel, including Trump, former President George W. Bush, and former Vice President Mike Pence.