Yemen FM says seated next to Netanyahu in 'error'

Israel only has diplomatic relations with Egypt and Jordan


Afp February 15, 2019
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) sits next to Yemen's Foreign Minister Khalid al-Yamani at a conference in Poland focused on the Middle East. PHOTO: AFP

DUBAI: Yemen's top diplomat said a "protocol error" landed him next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a conference in the Polish capital Warsaw and that his country's stance on the Palestinian issue remained unchanged.

"Protocol errors are the responsibility of the organisers, as is always the case in international conferences," Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani wrote on Twitter late Thursday.

Yamani was already seated when Netanyahu took his place earlier the same day at an international conference in Warsaw focused on security in the Middle East, with a strong emphasis on Iran.

The two nodded at each other and exchanged brief smiles as Netanyahu sat down.

During a part of the session closed to the press, Yamani lent Netanyahu his microphone when the Israeli premiers was not working properly.

US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace envoy Jason Greenblatt hailed the exchange on Twitter, calling it a "lighthearted moment" that could be the sign of "new cooperation" between the Jewish and Arab states.

Netanyahu meets Omani FM, hints other Arab states warming to Israel

Yemen and Israel have never had diplomatic relations, and Yamani's friendly interaction with Netanyahu drew criticism on social media.

"The stance of Yemen and President (Abedrabbo Mansour) Hadi on the Palestinian issue and its people and leadership is firm," Yamani insisted.

He said Yemen's attended the Warsaw conference not to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict "but to mobilise the international community to confront the Iranian expansion in Yemen".

Its participation was also "part of the battle to restore" his internationally-recognised government, which is at war with Iran-backed Huthi rebels, he added.

Netanyahu called the Warsaw meeting as a "historical turning point", saying Israel and Arab states in attendance had stood united against Iran and he hoped that cooperation could extend to other areas.

Top officials of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain -- none of which recognise Israel -- sat down with Netanyahu for dinner Wednesday.

Israel only has diplomatic relations with two Arab states, neighbouring Egypt and Jordan.

COMMENTS (1)

Bunny Rabbit | 5 years ago | Reply wonder what is the correct protocol. Yemen with muslim brethren like KSA / Yemen with yahudis like Israel ? Yemen with some other country ? does Yemen have freinds . why are not going to help them now ?
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