Saudi Arabia rejects Israeli role in Yemen war.

Crown Prince’s decision highlights domestic sensitivities and diplomatic calculations.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly turned down Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request to participate in Riyadh’s military campaign against the Houthis in Yemen. The decision underscores the kingdom’s careful balancing act between defending its security interests and managing public sentiment.

Diplomatic sources revealed that Netanyahu, through U.S. mediation, sought Saudi approval for Israeli involvement in the fight against the Iran-backed Houthis. Tel Aviv viewed this as a chance to strengthen ties with Riyadh and potentially advance normalization talks. However, the crown prince rejected the proposal, fearing that visible Israeli participation would spark widespread anger among Saudi citizens, who remain strongly supportive of the Palestinian cause.

Saudi Arabia has consistently linked any formal relations with Israel to resolving the Palestinian issue, including the establishment of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu’s recent campaign pledges to block Palestinian statehood directly contradict Riyadh’s conditions, making military cooperation politically unfeasible. Despite U.S. efforts to expand the Abraham Accords, the kingdom has resisted signing on, wary of undermining its credibility in the Arab and Muslim world.

The rejection comes amid escalating Houthi attacks that have disrupted Saudi aviation and forced the temporary closure of Riyadh’s international airport. While the kingdom continues to defend itself militarily, it remains cautious about inviting Israeli involvement, which could complicate its regional standing and inflame domestic opinion.

Netanyahu has long sought closer ties with Saudi Arabia. Reports suggest that both nations were close to a normalization deal in 2023, but the October 7 Hamas attack derailed progress. A Washington Post report even claimed that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had warned Netanyahu about Hamas’ plans beforehand, though the Israeli leader did not act on the intelligence.

Ultimately, the crown prince’s refusal reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy: protecting its national security while avoiding steps that could destabilize domestic sentiment or undermine its diplomatic leverage. For Netanyahu, the rejection represents another setback in his push to secure a breakthrough with Riyadh, leaving normalization efforts stalled amid ongoing regional tensions.