First publication: In meetings with Biden officials, Israel demanded freedom of action in the Red Sea against Houthi attacks. A diplomatic source told Israel Hayom on Wednesday that "Israel is not part of the US-led coalition against Houthi aggression in the Red Sea, but Israel maintains freedom of action in coordination with the coalition leader."
In meetings between the US secretary of defense and his counterparts in Israel and between National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and cabinet ministers, it was said that Israel supports the international coalition but would not be willing to subordinate itself if required to respond to attacks against it to the decision of all its members. Such freedom of action is required, inter alia, if the rocket fire at the city of Eilat continues.
The compromise formula adopted was that Israel would indeed maintain freedom of action but would nevertheless be required to act in coordination with the United States. So far, the Houthis' aggression has been met only with an American policy of counterterrorism rather than offensive, despite the knowledge that Iran is behind the attacks.
This week, with the formation of the coalition that will sail the Red Sea to ensure freedom of trade, there were additional attacks that have not yet been answered with the American and international backing present at the site. The establishment of the coalition is an Israeli achievement, since the policy directed by the prime minister together with the head of the National Security Council was to turn the Houthi problem into an international problem that would allow Israel to concentrate on its "local problems" here and end its mission in Gaza.
During his visit to Israel earlier this week, Secretary of Defense Austin announced the establishment of a new defense coalition to protect the shipping lanes in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which includes the United States, Britain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Bahrain and the Seychelles. Despite the significant damage to its revenues due to the diversion of many trade tankers, Egypt chose not to be part of the coalition. In a statement from Israel, Austin said that "the recent escalation of reckless Houthi attacks originating in Yemen threatens the free flow of trade, endangers innocent seafarers and violates international law."
"The Red Sea is a critical waterway that was essential for freedom of navigation and a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade. States seeking to uphold the basic principle of freedom of navigation must unite to confront the challenge posed by this non-state actor: launching ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at merchant ships of many nations lawfully passing through international waters."
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