The ongoing war imposed on Israel by Iranian-backed terror networks has entered a volatile new phase, as the Houthi movement in Yemen escalates its campaign of incitement and explicit threats against Israel, the United States, and Jews worldwide. This surge in hostile rhetoric comes amid an increasingly coordinated effort by Iran’s regional proxies—including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and militias in Syria and Iraq—to undermine Israeli security, challenge the U.S.-led global order, and destabilize the broader Middle East.
In recent public statements and broadcasts throughout Houthi-controlled areas, leaders of the Yemeni group have doubled down on their core slogan—an incendiary chant repeated daily across rallies, public squares, and state-run media: “Allah is the greatest, death to America, death to Israel, curse upon the Jews, victory to Islam.” This slogan, which has defined the Houthi movement since its rise to prominence in the early 2010s, is rooted in Tehran’s anti-Western and antisemitic ideology. It is now being elevated in intensity and frequency as Israel responds to existential security threats on multiple fronts.
Muhammad Ali al-Houthi, a senior Houthi official, recently directed a message at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he claimed Israel had surpassed the United States as the primary embodiment of ‘the devil’ in their narrative. In Houthi discourse, America has long been referred to as ‘the Great Satan,’ while Israel is labeled ‘the Little Satan’—terms originating from the Iranian regime and adopted by its proxies. Al-Houthi’s comments signal a shift, placing Israel at the top of the Houthi target list and highlighting the alignment between Houthi, Iranian, and broader anti-Israel strategies.
These developments are not isolated. They form part of a deliberate campaign by Iran to use its regional proxies as instruments of destabilization and terror, particularly in the wake of the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre—the deadliest antisemitic attack since the Holocaust. The Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has provided the Houthis with weapons, training, and logistical support, enabling them to fire missiles and drones at international shipping, Saudi Arabia, and in recent incidents, at Israeli territory. The U.S. State Department, along with Israeli intelligence, has repeatedly warned of the risks posed by emboldened Houthi operations in the Bab-el-Mandeb strait and the Red Sea, a vital global trade artery.
The effect of this incitement and proxy warfare is visible in widespread disruptions to international shipping, with commercial vessels rerouted to avoid Houthi-launched attacks. This in turn threatens the economic stability of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and far-reaching partners in Europe and the United States. Israeli defenses have been on high alert, with the IDF employing a mix of advanced technologies, including the Iron Dome, Arrow, and David’s Sling systems, to prevent infiltration and intercept inbound threats from multiple directions.
From a moral and strategic perspective, there remains an unambiguous distinction between the actions of Israel—a sovereign democracy bound by international law in its self-defense—and those of the Iranian-backed terror groups. Israel’s military responses are carefully calibrated to protect civilians and vital infrastructure, while the Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah forefront campaigns of violence targeting innocents. Evidence from the October 7 massacre shows the scale and brutality of terror activities, which include executions, assault, abduction, and mutilation, in stark contrast to Israel’s documented efforts to minimize harm and maintain the rule of law.
The escalation of Houthi anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric is, in this environment, both a tactical and ideological weapon. It aims to inspire violence far beyond Yemen’s borders and to undermine regional attempts at peace, including the Abraham Accords framework and tentative outreach between Israel and several Gulf states. Iranian messaging, amplified by the Houthis, fuels hostility not only against Israel but against Jews and American interests, drawing condemnation from Western governments and international bodies.
Public sentiment within Israel, in response, has grown increasingly unified around the necessity for continued vigilance and preparedness. The awareness of being targeted on ideological, religious, and physical grounds has further solidified broad support for Israeli defense measures and bipartisan coordination with the United States. Senior officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, have reaffirmed Israel’s absolute commitment to defending its people across every front.
American commitment to Israel’s security remains unwavering. President Donald Trump has publicly stated that attacks against U.S. or Israeli interests by Iranian-backed groups will trigger decisive responses, including military action if required. This joint posture has sent a clear signal to Tehran and its affiliates that aggression will not be tolerated.
Looking ahead, Israel faces considerable challenges, not least from the intensifying axis formed by Iran’s proxies, their growing arsenal, and the relentless campaign of incitement and hate. The Houthis’ slogans and actions are symptomatic of a wider threat: an ideological and kinetic war waged not just against Israel’s borders, but against Jews everywhere. In the face of such hostility, the responsibility of the international community—both to uphold historical truth and to confront state-sponsored terror—remains paramount.
As the situation evolves, the central imperative for Israel and its allies will be unwavering vigilance, constant adaptation, and steady moral clarity. The world must continue to distinguish between those acting in self-defense and those fomenting terror—and must refuse to allow incitement, such as that of the Houthis, to shape the future of the Middle East.
