Israel Surprised by Saudi Rejection of Evacuation Flight Request

Israel was taken aback when Saudi Arabia refused a request to send an Israeli aircraft, either from El Al or the Israeli Air Force, to evacuate Israeli citizens from Tabuk Airport. The request followed the landing of a Flydubai flight in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. Israel had anticipated Saudi approval for the evacuation flight, even proposing that the aircraft arrive without Israeli markings, but the Saudis ultimately rejected all proposals. The Israeli passengers were eventually evacuated on a separate Flydubai flight that had previously landed in the Kingdom.

An Israeli security official expressed surprise at the Saudi refusal, noting the existing coordination between the two countries on various issues and the perceived proximity of normalization. This surprise stems from the relative rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabia amidst heightened tensions with Iran and Houthi rebels in Yemen.

A source close to the Saudi royal family commented to i24NEWS, "Israel must understand that normalization cannot be imposed." Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed to discuss the security of Israeli flights to the UAE and strengthening bilateral relations, despite efforts to undermine them.

The article also highlights the UAE's consistent efforts over the past three years, under President bin Zayed's direction, to maintain flight routes between Tel Aviv and Dubai, even during periods of Israeli security tensions and when other airlines canceled flights to Israel, including during the war that extended threats to the UAE.