How Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Prevented Netanyahu From Joining the War Against the Houthis

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly explored the possibility of expanding Israel’s military involvement in Yemen as strikes against Iran have eased ahead of the US midterm elections. According to a report by Haaretz, Israel approached Saudi Arabia through US mediation to seek approval for joining the kingdom’s military campaign against Iran-backed Houthi forces. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto leader, reportedly opposed the proposal over concerns that Israeli participation in the Yemen campaign could trigger a public backlash in Saudi Arabia. The report cited diplomatic sources familiar with the matter.

Another source told Haaretz that Israel hoped military cooperation with Saudi Arabia would strengthen relations between the two US allies and potentially create momentum towards a future agreement to normalise diplomatic ties. However, the reported opposition from Riyadh highlights the political sensitivities surrounding closer engagement with Israel.

Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations, despite repeated efforts by US President Donald Trump to encourage the kingdom to join the Abraham Accords, which established normalisation agreements between Israel and several Arab countries. Riyadh has maintained that normalisation must be linked to resolving the Palestinian issue, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, has opposed Palestinian statehood in statements during his recent election campaign. The reported disagreement over Israel’s proposed role in Yemen underscores the obstacles facing efforts to improve Saudi-Israeli relations, particularly amid regional security concerns and the continuing conflict over Palestinian statehood.

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