Jakarta, ThedailyID — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly rejected Israel’s offer to join a joint military operation against Yemen’s Houthi group. According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Riyadh declined the proposal despite efforts by Tel Aviv to secure approval through US mediation.
The report, published on Monday, October 12, cited unnamed diplomatic sources. They said Mohammed bin Salman, widely known as MbS, feared that military cooperation with Israel could trigger a negative public reaction in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, another source familiar with the matter said Israel hoped military cooperation would strengthen bilateral ties. It also viewed the proposal as a possible step toward normalizing diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.
However, Saudi authorities have not publicly commented on the report.
Saudi Arabia and Israel do not maintain formal diplomatic relations. Over the past decade, Israel has sought to normalize ties with several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia.
Nevertheless, Riyadh has consistently linked normalization with Israel to resolving the Palestinian issue. Saudi Arabia has also emphasized the establishment of an independent Palestinian state as a key condition.
The reported Israeli offer comes amid escalating Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, according to Anadolu Agency. Repeated attacks on airports have reportedly caused casualties and disrupted flight operations.
An attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday reportedly killed 13 people and injured more than 300 others. Another attack on the same airport on Sunday killed a Pakistani resident of Saudi Arabia and injured 11 others, according to the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation.
The reported rejection highlights the diplomatic challenges surrounding potential military cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Israel. For Riyadh, any move toward closer ties with Israel remains politically sensitive, particularly amid the unresolved Palestinian issue.
