Rabbi greeted by Muslim crowds in Somaliland with Israeli flags, chants of ‘Am Yisrael Chai’

Israel is currently the only country to formally recognize Somaliland.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Rabbi Yosef Garmon wasn’t even sure he would be allowed to arrive in Somaliland—and was even warned in other countries to take off his skullcap—but when he reached Hargeisa, the rabbi was greeted by crowds yelling “Am Yisrael Chai,” or “The Jewish People Lives.”

Once the chief rabbi of Guatemala, Garmon traveled to Somaliland with the Humanitarian Coalition and arrived on Tuesday, after deciding to make the trip following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland—the only country to do so.

The country broke off from Somalia in 1991 by a unilateral declaration of statehood that is not recognized by Somalia or any other nation. Twenty-one Muslim countries, along with the European Union, criticized Israel for its move to recognize Somaliland, believing the decision would inflame tensions with Somalia.

However, the crowds who gathered to welcome Garmon in Somaliland thanked him for Israel’s diplomatic decision. They saw his skullcap and recognized him as a Jew.

Garmon, who regularly delivers humanitarian aid throughout Latin America and Africa, told Ynet, “Everywhere, people are excited that I’m Israeli. In the immigration office, an Israeli flag was flying. They took us to buy a SIM card and handed out water.”

Although the trip was rewarding, it almost didn’t seem possible, as his plans to travel to Somaliland were repeatedly frustrated.

He was told he was not allowed to enter Somaliland without a Somali visa, even though Israelis are permitted to enter the country without needing papers from Somalia.

Most airlines refused to take him, and Garmon tried to travel through Dubai and Addis Ababa—both places refused.

Finally, he found a way to reach his destination through the Ethiopian city of Jijiga, near the Somaliland border. “There they allowed us to cross into Somaliland, but warned me to remove my skullcap,” he said.

However, not only did Garmon not need to remove his skullcap, but he was welcomed by the people of Somaliland.

“People wave to us,” he told Ynet. “The admiration comes from the fact that Israel recognized Somaliland. It’s simply moving to see people who view Israel as their hope.”