Yemen’s Houthi gov’t criminalises recognition of Israel

Yemen’s Houthi-led government issued new legislation yesterday prohibiting and criminalising recognition of Israel and normalising relations with it.

According to the SABA news agency, the President of Sanaa-based Supreme Political Council, Mahdi Al-Mashat, signed the new law which aims to prohibit and criminalise recognition and normalisation with the occupation state.

After signing Sanaa law No.(4), Al-Mashat affirmed that normalisation with Israel is a betrayal of the Arab Islamic nation, Islam, and the people. He stated that the law will allow Yemen to move more effectively and officially in “confronting the usurping Zionist entity and supporting the Palestinian people and resistance,” the outlet reported.

His Excellency Field Marshal Mahdi Al-Mashat, Chairman of the Supreme Political Council in the capital, Sana’a, signed Law No. (4) of 1445 AH regarding the prohibition and criminalization of recognition of the Zionist enemy entity and normalization with it.
.#Yemen pic.twitter.com/QTopqLmhJL

— محمد الرضى (@mmdlry926811105) December 5, 2023

Al-Mashat was quoted as saying: “Yemen’s position in supporting the Palestinian people and their valiant resistance cannot be reversed.”

“We will continue to target the Zionist entity in all possible ways until its aggression and genocide of brothers in Gaza stop,” he added.

Last month, the Yemeni House of Representatives in Sanaa voted and passed a law “banning and criminalising recognition of the Israeli occupation entity and normalisation with it.”

The purpose of the drafted law is also to “prevent the establishment of diplomatic, political, military, economic, cultural, or any other direct or indirect relations with the occupation entity.”

Last year, Iraq became the first Arab country to formally ban normalisation with Israel by passing a law criminalising normalisation with the apartheid state. At the time, parliament said it was “a true reflection of the people.”

OPINION: After Iraq, who will be next to criminalise ties with Israel: Algeria or Yemen’s Houthi government?