Saudi Arabia Links Israel Ties to Palestinian Issue, Not Yemen Conflict

A Saudi official familiar with the matter stated that Saudi Arabia will not compromise on normalizing relations with Israel, even if Israel were to assist in the fight against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The official told Kan News that, from Saudi Arabia's perspective, normalization hinges on resolving the Palestinian issue, not on the involvement of a third party or perceived weakness.

Amidst the damage Saudi Arabia has sustained in its conflict with the Houthis, the official indicated that Riyadh believes a comprehensive military operation against the Yemeni rebels is not the current optimal solution. Instead, Saudi Arabia aims to advance an international solution for dismantling the threat in a smart and strategic manner. At most, Saudi Arabia seeks at this stage to regain control over areas occupied by the Houthis near the strategically important Bab-el-Mandeb strait.

The Saudi stance emphasizes that progress toward normalization with Israel is directly tied to advancements in the Palestinian cause, and external security assistance, such as from Israel against the Houthis, will not alter this fundamental position.