The state of Somaliland has established its first embassy in West Jerusalem, in a state visit to Israel by the president of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, after six months of gaining recognition from Israel as an independent state. The fact that the embassy is located in West Jerusalem, instead of Tel Aviv, was greatly welcomed by the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who saw some similarities between the struggle for recognition of Somaliland's sovereignty and the struggle of Israel over its ancient city. Even though there are great benefits that can be reaped from such a partnership, including having a strong ally located near the Red Sea, where a lot of shipping takes place, as well as the possibility of developing oil and mining industries, the establishment of the embassy caused strong backlash.