The United States defended Israel’s right to recognize the breakaway territory of Somaliland as a state at the United Nations on Monday, comparing it to the recognition of a Palestinian state by numerous countries.

“Israel has the same right to conduct diplomatic relations as any other sovereign state,” Tammy Bruce, deputy US ambassador to the UN, said during an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

“Earlier this year, several countries, including members of this council, made the unilateral decision to recognize a nonexistent Palestinian state, and yet no emergency meeting was called to express this council’s outrage,” she added, accusing colleagues of “double standards.”

The comments addressed growing global discord over Israel’s announcement on Friday that it would recognize Somaliland as a nation — a first that drew criticism from the African Union, Egypt, and the European Union, which insist on war-torn Somalia’s sovereignty.

US President Donald Trump has said he opposes recognition of Somaliland, and Bruce said Monday that “there has been no change in American policy.”

Slovenian Ambassador Samuel Zbogar, whose country has recognized Palestinian statehood, rejected Washington’s comparison.

“Palestine is not part of any state. It is illegally occupied........

© The Times of Israel