Israel Recognizes Somaliland: A New Ally, Another Distraction
Amidst ongoing accusations of genocide in Gaza and widespread calls for a ceasefire, the Netanyahu government has proudly announced its recognition of Somaliland, an unrecognised state in the Horn of Africa. The Independent dutifully reports this as a strategic move against 'terrorism and piracy,' echoing the familiar refrain used to justify interventions from Afghanistan to Yemen. It's a
convenient pivot, painting Israel as a global security player while diverting attention from the 37,000+ Palestinian lives lost and the deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure. This 'historic' diplomatic maneuver, framed as a counter-terrorism effort, conveniently places an Israeli-aligned entity on a critical maritime choke point—the Red Sea. One might wonder if this newfound concern
for sovereign borders extends to the self-determination of people closer to home. Or perhaps, the strategic benefit of a Red Sea port takes precedence over, say, UN resolutions and international law. It certainly makes you question the priorities, given the daily news from Gaza. How many 'historic firsts' does it take to erase a war crime?