Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could revive Israel-Saudi normalization efforts - analysis

In an analysis piece, the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia may reignite Israel-Saudi normalization efforts, according to experts. The October 7 Hamas massacre, though not intended to derail the normalization talks, did disrupt those ties to the Saudis' advantage. With Saudi Arabia insisting on a Palestinian state before agreeing to any deal, the strategic alignment between Israel and Saudi Arabia remains intact despite their differences.

The shift may be driven by the Houthis' actions, which could provide a compelling reason for Riyadh to consider flexibility on the Palestinian state issue. Recent meetings among Middle East military commanders, including those from Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states, indicate a growing interest in regional security cooperation.

While Saudi Arabia has signed defense pacts with Pakistan and Turkey, these agreements lack the practical capabilities that Israel can offer in terms of intelligence, technology, and missile defense. Saudi Arabia's immediate security needs may be the catalyst for new diplomatic relations with Israel, despite the latter's official statements of no such cooperation.