Relationship dossier
Israel
Yemen
Relationship assessment
A hostile relationship shaped by Israeli strikes in Yemen and Houthi attacks against Israel
Israel toward Yemen
-50Israeli forces have carried out strikes against Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen, including ports and infrastructure. These operations constitute direct military action on Yemeni territory, although their stated targets have been Houthi authorities and capabilities.
Yemen toward Israel
-30Houthi authorities have launched missiles and drones toward Israel and attacks affecting maritime traffic, presenting a direct security threat. The Houthis control substantial territory but are distinct from Yemen’s internationally recognized government, whose direction of these operations is unclear.
Overall relationship
-45The relationship is structured by the absence of diplomatic ties, longstanding political opposition, and direct military confrontation involving Israeli forces and Houthi authorities. The divided nature of Yemeni governance complicates attribution of Houthi actions to Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Israel and Yemen have no diplomatic relations and their relationship is marked by sustained hostility. Israeli forces have struck Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen, while Houthi authorities have launched attacks toward Israel and its maritime interests. Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthi authorities are distinct political actors, so Houthi conduct should not be treated as fully representative of all Yemeni policy.
Areas of tension
- Israeli strikes against Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen
- Houthi missile and drone attacks toward Israel
- Houthi attacks affecting maritime traffic
Key developments
Houthi authorities began launching attacks toward Israel following the outbreak of the Israel–Hamas war.
Israeli forces carried out strikes against Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen, including the port of Hodeidah.
Major uncertainties
- The extent to which the internationally recognized Yemeni government directs or supports actions by Houthi authorities is unclear.
- The scope and implementation of Yemen’s government policies toward Israel are uncertain.