The United States on Monday defended Israel’s decision to recognize the breakaway territory of Somaliland, drawing comparisons to the recognition of a Palestinian state by numerous countries.

The comments came during an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council, convened amid growing international criticism of Israel’s move.

“Israel has the same right to conduct diplomatic relations as any other sovereign state,” said Tammy Bruce, the U.S. deputy ambassador to the United Nations.

Bruce accused other council members of applying double standards.

“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,” she said.

Israel announced Friday it would recognize Somaliland as a nation, becoming the first country to do so. The decision was swiftly criticized by the African Union, Egypt, and the European Union, all of which reaffirm Somalia’s sovereignty.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he opposes recognition of Somaliland, and Bruce emphasized that Washington’s position has not changed.

“There has been no change in American policy,” she said.

Slovenia’s ambassador, Samuel Zbogar, rejected the comparison with Palestinian statehood.

“Palestine is not part of any state. It is illegally occupied territory, as declared by the International Court of Justice, among others,” Zbogar said. He added that Somaliland is part of a U.N. member state and that recognizing it violates the U.N. Charter.

Somalia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Abukar Osman, condemned Israel’s recognition.

“This act of aggression is aimed at encouraging fragmentation of the territory of Somalia,” Osman said, urging the council to reject the move.

Several council members voiced support for Somalia’s territorial unity without directly naming Israel.

British Ambassador James Kariuki reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s support for “the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia.”

Israel’s representative, Jonathan Miller, said the recognition was not intended as a provocation.

“This is not a hostile step towards Somalia, and it does not preclude future dialogue,” Miller said, calling it “an opportunity to strengthen stability.”

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has long failed to secure international recognition.

The region lies in the Horn of Africa, across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen, a location that gives it strategic importance along key shipping routes.