UN ambassadors condemn Israel's recognition of Somaliland

Israeldefended on Monday its formal recognition of the self-declared Republic ofSomaliland, but several countries at theUnited Nationsquestioned whether the move aimed to relocate Palestinians from Gaza or to establish military bases. Israel became the first country to recognise Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state on Friday. The 22-member Arab League, a regional organisation of Arab states in t