Topic: The Situation in Yemen
Country: Israel
Delegate Name: Andrew Judge
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Israel position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
The Middle East has become a breeding ground for secular conflict and proxy war. The United States, Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia are the major players in these conflicts, and the entire region revolves around these powerful countries and their struggle for influence and strength. The current Yemeni conflict is centered between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Arab state of Saudi Arabia is the political, cultural, and economic epicenter of the Sunni sect of Islam. Most of the gulf states that surround Saudi Arabia adhere to this form of Islam as well, and Saudi Arabia works militaristically to ensure that its influence in the region stays strong. The Persian state of Iran has the world's largest population of Shia Muslims. As they are much smaller than the Sunni sect, Iran provides economic and militaristic aid to militias and countries that support this form of Islam and is also constantly engaging in proxy conflict with its biggest regional competitor, Saudi Arabia. The conflict in Yemen stems from the fact that the Shiite Houthi Rebels toppled the Sunni led and internationally recognized government after they stormed Sanaa and took control of a population disillusioned by years of corruption and fear brought upon by Ali Abdullah Saleh, the former dictator. The Houthis are an illegitimate and dangerous rebel group that must be condemned by the international community, as order must be returned to the country to insure a peaceful resolution.
Although Israel has strained relations with Saudi Arabia, we firmly believe that the root of this problem revolves around the belligerent practices that Iran is using in an effort to exert its influence and obtain Shia control of the region. Iran is supporting the rebel groups with weapons and economic aid, allowing the Houthis to take control of the western side of the country. A mass crisis is occurring with many civilian deaths taking place. Although many countries would say that Saudi Arabia is responsible for these deaths, Israel believes that the Iranian-led rebels are to blame, due to the infestation of Houthi troops in largely populated urban areas. The coalition that supports the legitimate leader of yemen, Abdrabbuh Hadi, includes other Sunni Arab states who conduct airstrikes; as well as western countries like the US, UK, and France who provide logistical support. The State of Israel suggests that in order to limit these civilian casualties and end the Saudi blockade, the international community must put an end to the nefarious actions and militaristic attitudes of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
Israel wants to work on starting a new, official diplomatic channel with the House of Saud. We feel as though the anti-corruption scourge of the Crown Prince, and his efforts to modernize and advance his country to a new era will help the region out greatly, and our nation would like to progress with him as well. Israel pleads the world to condemn Iran, and the Houthi rebellion that has taken so many lives. The state of Israel would like to see that the Yemeni conflict is resolved by Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia alone. We would like a resolution to make sure all other foreign players are barred from the region, and in doing this, the world should see a quick and effective end to the problem. The poverty and corruption that plagues the middle east must not be allowed to impact the Arabian Peninsula, and the severity of the Iranian incursion on Saudi Sovereignty cannot be tolerated by the international community.
