Netanyahu Spoke with the Indian Prime Minister About the Houthi Threat

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke today (Tuesday) with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the conversation Netanyahu thanked Modi for India's support of Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. In addition, the two discussed promoting the bringing of foreign workers from India to the State of Israel.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, "the two leaders discussed the importance of securing freedom of navigation in the Bab-el-Mandeb Straits, which is threatened by the Houthi aggression initiated by Iran, and the global interest in preventing harm to the international economy and trade as well as to the economies of India and Israel. The Prime Minister of India noted that freedom of sailing is an essential global need that must be guaranteed."

As a reminder, last night US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the establishment of a global force against the Houthi threat that will ensure freedom of movement in the Red Sea. The new force will include the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain, to jointly face the security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with the aim of ensuring freedom of movement for all countries and strengthening regional security and prosperity.

In a statement he published, it was stated that "the latest escalation in the reckless Houthi attacks threatens the free flow of commerce, endangers innocent seafarers and violates international law. The Red Sea is a critical waterway that is essential to freedom of navigation and a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade. Countries that strive to maintain the basic principle of freedom of navigation must unite to face the challenge.

"This is an international challenge that requires collective action," Austin said. "Accordingly, I am announcing today the establishment of a major multinational security initiative under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and its leadership of Task Force 153, focused on security in the Red Sea."