‘Ruining Yemen, not helping Palestinians': Luai Ahmed, a Yemeni activist speaks out

For many Israelis, Yemen primarily evokes thoughts of their Jewish roots – a significant portion of Israeli Jews trace their ancestry to Yemen's ancient Jewish community.

However, in recent months, Yemen has taken on a new, more threatening significance for Israelis, as Houthi forces launch missiles and drones at Israeli territory. These attacks, which began after October 7th, have left many Israelis puzzled about why a country so geographically distant would engage in direct hostilities.

In this context, some interesting voices are emerging from the Arab world. Among them is Luai Ahmed, a 31-year-old Yemeni-Swedish activist who has gained significant attention for his pro-Israel stance. Ahmed, who fled Yemen in 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels took control of the capital Sanaa, has become a prominent voice on social media, garnering over 190,000 followers on social media platform 𝕏 and producing viral videos that challenge anti-Israel narratives.

In his recent videos and social media posts, Ahmed explains the complex dynamics behind the Houthi attacks on Israel. He argues that the Houthis, despite controlling only one-third of Yemen's territory, have managed to worsen the already dire situation in one of the Middle East's poorest countries by focusing resources on attacking Israel rather than addressing the needs of Yemen's population.

A letter from a Yemeni to the Houthis — from Israel!

While the Houthis were sending balisitic missiles towards Israel, our host Luai was in Tel Aviv hiding in a shelter; he wrote a letter to the Houthis. pic.twitter.com/5eH5PP2PYe

— buildersofmideast (@buildersmideast) December 20, 2024

His recent tweet succinctly captures this perspective: "Dear Houthis, Firing missiles towards Israel is not 'helping Palestinians' – it's ruining Yemen, the poorest country in the Middle East. Yours truly, A Yemeni."

Ahmed has become a frequent visitor to Israel, where his message has resonated strongly with the local population. Through social media and in-person appearances, he has helped build bridges of understanding between communities, demonstrating that there are Arab voices who actively choose dialogue and peace over conflict. His presence in Israel and his willingness to engage directly with Israeli society offers a powerful counternarrative to the regional hostilities.

For many Israelis who have been recently awakened to air raid sirens triggered by Houthi rockets, understanding the group's motivations has been challenging. The Houthis, a Shiite terrorist entity backed by Iran, have transformed from a local rebel movement into a significant regional threat, despite Yemen's geographic distance from Israel. Their attacks on Israel and shipping in the Red Sea represent not just a military threat but also a complex web of regional politics, Iranian influence, and religious extremism.

As we celebrate Hanukkah, we often say that each candle is a small light, but together they create a powerful illumination. Activists like Ahmed help shed light not only by providing clear information but also by demonstrating that there are voices within the Arab world choosing peace over conflict. These young voices, working to bring understanding and truth to their communities and countries, offer hope for a brighter future in the region.