By: Mohamed Duale
JERUSALEM, Israel, June 15 (Horn Diplomat) – Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro on Sunday visited several of Israel’s most significant national memorial and historical sites during the first day of his official visit to Israel, underscoring growing ties between Somaliland and Israel.
President Irro and his delegation toured Mount Herzl, Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center, and the Groves of Nations in Jerusalem, where he participated in ceremonies reflecting remembrance, national identity and international friendship.
The first stop was Mount Herzl, Israel’s national cemetery and one of the country’s most important historical landmarks. The president laid a wreath at the site, which is named after Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern political Zionism and widely regarded as the father of the State of Israel.
Located in western Jerusalem, Mount Herzl serves as the final resting place for Herzl as well as former Israeli presidents, prime ministers, military leaders and other figures who played key roles in the country’s history. President Irro was received at the site by Yaakov Hagoel, Chairman of the World Zionist Organization.
Later, the Somaliland leader visited Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, where he was welcomed by the institution’s chairman, Dani Dayan.
During the visit, officials briefed President Irro on the history of the Holocaust and the events that led to one of the most devastating genocides of the twentieth century. The visit included tours of memorial exhibits dedicated to preserving the memory of millions of victims and educating future generations about the consequences of hatred, discrimination and mass atrocities.
