Yemen's Houthis Push Saudi Arabia Towards Israel Amidst Abraham Accords Talks

The escalating conflict with Yemen's Houthi rebels is creating a strategic opportunity for Israel to advance normalization talks with Saudi Arabia, according to reports. Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the Abraham Accords are back on the table for Saudi Arabia, noting Israel's assistance. The Houthi threat and the resulting security and energy crisis in Saudi Arabia highlight Riyadh's vulnerability, presenting Israel with a chance to offer covert security and technological aid. Israel's advanced air defense, intelligence, cyber, and detection capabilities could be leveraged to protect Saudi Arabia's critical energy infrastructure and logistics routes, demonstrating Israel's value as a reliable partner during a crisis.

This discreet diplomatic and security initiative, alongside American support, could potentially ease Saudi opposition and reduce its strategic dilemma concerning Iran, paving the way for renewed direct normalization discussions post-crisis. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly using Washington as leverage, aiming to link potential Israeli assistance to Saudi progress on normalization. A source close to Netanyahu suggested that the Prime Minister views such an agreement as a significant political achievement that could help him win elections.

However, a primary obstacle remains Saudi Arabia's stance on the Palestinian issue. Riyadh has consistently stated that full normalization requires a credible and binding path toward a two-state solution. While progress was made before the October 7th Hamas attack, with Saudi Arabia opening its airspace to Israeli flights in July 2022, the subsequent war halted the process. Documents captured from Hamas suggested the October 7th attack was partly intended to thwart Israeli-Saudi normalization, leading Riyadh to harden its position and demand a binding political track for a two-state solution.