British members of a Somaliland-Israel friendship movement criticized the UK government’s policies toward Israel and said they had urged their community not to vote for the governing party, according to a statement sent to The Jerusalem Post.
The statement, issued under the name of the Somaliland-Israel Friendship & Abrahamic Movement’s UK branch, said its British members wished to “make our position clear.”
“We strongly criticize the current policies of this UK government towards Israel,” the statement read. “These policies do not represent the will of the British people living in the UK.”
The group described Israel and the United Kingdom as “inseparable brothers,” citing a relationship built on history, shared values, democracy, and efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East.
The statement further accused the current UK government of abandoning the relationship and adopting what it called an “outdated, double-standard policy.”
“Therefore, we as British-Somalilanders have suggested to our community not to vote for this party that is currently in power, because it has opposed Israel and betrayed the true friendship between our two nations,” the statement said.
“We stand with Israel. Yesterday, today, and forever,” it added.
The statement was signed by Eng. Ahmed Abdillahi Dirie.
UK-Israel relations strained over settlement sanctions
The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and the United Kingdom following new British measures targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced on Tuesday an import ban on goods from what Britain considers illegal settlements in the West Bank, as well as sanctions targeting certain individuals and businesses providing services connected to settlement expansion.
Miliband said during his announcement that he was “unwavering in [his] support for the state of Israel,” while maintaining his support for a Palestinian state.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended the measures in parliament on Wednesday, calling the decision an example of British “leadership on the world stage.”
Miliband also defended the sanctions on Wednesday, saying he was “proud” of the decision because “it was the right thing to do.”
Israel responds to UK measures
In response to the British measures, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that Israel would close the UK’s consulate in east Jerusalem and expel British representatives from the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat.
Israel’s countermeasures also included ending British training of Palestinian Authority security forces in Ramallah and banning 12 British elected representatives and other British nationals from entering Israel.
Sa’ar said that Israel had “nothing against the British people” and maintained that Israel had many friends in Britain while sharply criticizing the policies of the current British government.
The Somaliland-Israel relationship has also expanded in recent months. Somaliland opened its embassy in Jerusalem in June during President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi’s first official visit to Israel following the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Somaliland last year.
