"Haaretz": Netanyahu seeks normalization with Saudi Arabia through confronting the Houthis

A Haaretz report reveals an Israeli effort, with American mediation, to persuade Saudi Arabia to accept Israeli intervention against the Houthis as a step toward normalizing relations. However, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman rejects Israeli military assistance, considering it "outside the scope of discussion," given the sensitivity of Saudi and Islamic public opinion.

A report by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, citing a diplomatic source, reveals that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to persuade Saudi Arabia, with American mediation, to accept Israeli intervention in the confrontation against the Houthis in Yemen. The goal, according to another informed source, is to "work with the Saudis" and develop relations, opening the door to a normalization agreement at a later stage. However, the diplomatic source stated that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman rejects Israeli military assistance, considering it "outside the scope of discussion," because cooperation with Israel would not be viewed positively by Saudi and Islamic public opinion. This effort comes at a time when the issue of normalization is returning to the forefront, after former US President Donald Trump repeatedly spoke about Riyadh joining the "Abraham Accords." The report also noted the role of the late Senator Lindsey Graham in pushing for normalization as a basis for post-war arrangements with Iran. In contrast, the official Saudi position insists on making tangible progress toward establishing a Palestinian state before any normalization.