A diplomatic source told Haaretz that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman declined a request from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for joint military action against the Iran‑backed Houthis in Yemen, citing potential backlash from Riyadh's public. The request came after Israel's bombing campaign in Iran stalled ahead of U.S. midterm elections.
The decision coincides with a surge in Houthi attacks on Saudi shipping lanes, prompting the kingdom to extend the closure of its international airport and cancel multiple flights.
Israel has long pursued formal ties with Riyadh, with Netanyahu pledging to prevent a Palestinian state as a precondition for talks, a stance that has stalled negotiations.
With the Crown Prince's veto, Israel must look beyond Yemen for ways to counter Iranian influence, turning its focus to Gulf partners already wary of Houthi aggression.
Riyadh has remained silent on the rejection, leaving the next diplomatic move uncertain.