Israel unlikely to improve Saudi ties despite Houthi threat, expert tells 'Post' - interview

Dr. Brandon Friedman, director of research at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University, told The Jerusalem Post that Israel is unlikely to find an opening to improve relations with Saudi Arabia despite Riyadh's efforts to expand intelligence sharing and military assistance in its fight against the Houthis.

Friedman explained that any support Riyadh would receive from Israel would need to happen quietly due to Israel's domestic political needs, adding that he believed any support Israel would currently provide would only be given in the context of providing the governing coalition with a pre-election boost. Friedman also noted that Saudi Arabia has become increasingly dependent on Washington over the past 15 years and has limited tools at its disposal, leaving it with little choice but to seek support from regional powers such as Turkey and Pakistan.

Brief written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.