Israeli Analyst Claims Houthi Attacks, Turkish Betrayal Pushed Saudi Arabia Toward Israel

Israeli political analyst Eadie Cohen claimed during a televised debate that Houthi attacks and a perceived Turkish and Pakistani retreat from their commitments have pushed Saudi leadership towards closer ties with Israel. Cohen asserted that escalating Houthi threats, including attacks on cities like Mecca and Riyadh, coupled with Ankara and Islamabad's alleged abandonment of Riyadh during difficult times, compelled Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to seek assistance from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Cohen further suggested that these developments demonstrated to the region that Israel is the most viable option for coordination and presence. He also characterized Turkish diplomatic and military actions in the region as a "media show" designed to distract populations, rather than being based on genuine alliances.

In response, Turkish researcher and academic Dr. Muhannad Hafezoglu strongly refuted Cohen's claims, accusing him of "political short-sightedness" and ignorance of the weight of major regional powers. Hafezoglu stated that Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are too significant to be "in the embrace of any country" and that Riyadh leads the Middle East, capable of managing its own affairs and positioning others appropriately.

The Turkish academic emphasized that current regional movements and future strategic arrangements reflect a comprehensive vision of Saudi Arabia's ability to independently protect its territory and interests. He also highlighted that Turkish-Arab relations are moving towards strategic coordination and cooperation based on shared interests and respect for national sovereignty.