BAT HEFER, Israel — In a yard in Bat Hefer, Jews and Somalilanders sat together in a circle beneath the flag of the Abrahamic Movement, in what organizers described as a symbol of a widening peace camp across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

The evening was held for the Somaliland delegation visiting Israel and hosted by the movement—“Jews and Arabs together”—under the banner “Building a Shared Future.” Speaking to the gathering, Tom Wegner, the movement’s co-founder and CEO, said the occasion showed what a global grassroots effort could look like.

“This is a very moving opportunity to see additional branches of the Abrahamic Movement, which has become a global entity—a grassroots movement in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, presenting a natural alternative to radical movements, the Muslim Brotherhood, and every other ideology built on division.”— Tom Wegner, Abrahamic Movement

A growing network

The movement reports more than 20 branches and tens of thousands of supporters across Israel and Muslim-majority societies. Its stated aim is to build relationships among Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze and others through dialogue, shared heritage and practical cooperation. The Jerusalem Post recently reported that some members continue this work despite legal, political and personal risks in their countries.

“Across the Middle East and throughout Africa and Asia, we see a peace camp that keeps growing,” Wegner told the circle. “We need peace. Our region is hungry for peace.”

Toward a shared identity

Wegner said the next step is creating a shared Abrahamic identity—“not one that erases national, religious, or cultural differences, but one that gives people a wider circle of belonging.”

The delegation arrived in Israel wearing hats and scarves bearing the movement’s emblem. “That is a new moment in history, a moment when we have a shared base we all recognize,” he said.

From symbolism to business

The Israel–Somaliland connection has begun moving beyond symbolism. The Abrahamic Movement and the Israel–Somaliland Friendship Association have announced efforts to establish business-development infrastructure between the two communities, including representatives responsible for economic cooperation.

Conversations during the visit turned personal. Diane Dirie, Special Advisor to the Somaliland Mission to Israel, spoke about her Jewish heritage, her family’s journey, her connection to Somaliland and her repeated visits to Jerusalem.

Another session focused on the history of the Isaaq people and atrocities committed during the Siad Barre dictatorship in the late 1980s. Wegner said such stories matter not only to preserve memory but because peacebuilding “must begin with listening to the experiences of communities that have suffered.”

The evening closed with a blessing from Chief Ugaas, whom Wegner invited to address the circle.

“When there is a shared base in the circle, partnership becomes possible. And when partnerships become real, a new vision can sound like more than an empty slogan.”— Tom Wegner

Video · The Blessing and Closing Moments

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Source: Tom Wegner post on Twitter · Watch video

About Tom Wegner

Tom Wegner is an Israeli strategic consultant, author and peace activist, CEO of Wegner – Strategy and Communications and head of the Middle East Center, founded in early 2024 to facilitate direct dialogue among Middle Eastern communities. He has served as spokesperson for PM Ehud Barak and for the Peres Center for Peace, and has advised the UN, EU and World Bank on Israeli-Arab dialogue. The movement lists him as co-founder and CEO. His book Cannabis Wars won a Global Book Award; he is writing The Abrahamic Codex with Muslim-world leaders, for Yedioth Books.