Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent recognition of Somaliland as an independent state has sparked intense controversy across Africa and the Arab world. Critics argue that the move violates international law and Somali sovereignty, with Somalia and regional organizations condemning it as a threat to stability and territorial integrity. Reports suggest Netanyahu's decision may be linked to a plan for Somaliland to receive Palestinians from Gaza, raising concerns about forced displacement and the ethical implications of such a strategy.

The timing of the recognition, amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza, has drawn widespread condemnation and is seen as a provocative diversion from efforts to address the humanitarian catastrophe. The maneuver is viewed as a geopolitical gambit that risks inflaming tensions in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, rather than advancing peace. Observers warn that using diplomatic recognition as a tool for demographic engineering undermines legal and moral standards, and calls have been made for the international community to demand accountability and focus on protecting civilian rights in Gaza.