Written by Yoni Weiss
Israel has stressed to Biden administration officials the need for freedom of action in the Red Sea regarding Houthi attacks. Israel Hayom It was reported on Wednesday. Israel is not a formal member of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Houthi invasion, but it insists on freedom to operate independently while working with coalition leaders.
Israel’s support for the coalition was conveyed in meetings with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Israeli counterparts, as well as with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and members of the military cabinet. But Israel has made clear that it does not intend to be subservient to coalition member states in responding to attacks, particularly the ongoing assault on Eilat.
A mutual agreement was reached under which Israel would maintain its operational independence while coordinating with the United States. Although Houthi attacks prompted a U.S. interception, the U.S. has not retaliated, although it has acknowledged Iran’s involvement.
Further attacks occurred during the recent establishment of the Coalition to Guarantee Red Sea Navigation, but there was no immediate response by new forces. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s instructions to shift the Houthis’ provocations to international issues and allow them to focus on Gaza led to the creation of the coalition, an outcome for Israel.
During a recent visit to Israel, Austin announced the creation of a defense coalition to protect shipping lanes in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The federation consists of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Bahrain, and the Seychelles. Notably, Egypt refused to join the coalition despite significant revenue losses due to tanker diversion.