SAUDI DRAMA: Warm Welcome For 180 Israelis — But Riyadh Refused Israeli Air Force Rescue Plan

New details are emerging about the extraordinary behind-the-scenes contacts between Israel and Saudi Arabia during the emergency landing of the Flydubai flight in Tabuk, where approximately 180 Israeli passengers found themselves stranded inside the Saudi kingdom. According to a report by Ynet, the Mossad maintained continuous contact with Saudi authorities throughout the incident. Saudi Arabia reportedly provided the Israeli passengers with warm treatment following the emergency landing, supplying them with food and medical assistance as officials worked to arrange their return to Israel. But there was one line Riyadh was unwilling to cross. Saudi officials firmly rejected an Israeli request to allow Israeli Air Force Hercules aircraft to land in the kingdom and evacuate the passengers. The Saudis were reportedly concerned that the highly visible presence of Israeli military aircraft on Saudi soil could be interpreted publicly as a dramatic step toward normalization between the two countries. The Mossad subsequently attempted to find another solution and reportedly came close to securing Saudi approval for an unmarked Israeli civilian aircraft — described as a "white plane" without identifying markings — to fly into the kingdom and retrieve the passengers. That plan ultimately became unnecessary after the passengers agreed to board a rescue flight operated by the Emirati airline Flydubai. An Israeli official quoted in the report explained that images of an Israeli aircraft inside Saudi Arabia would simply have been too public a development for Saudi domestic opinion. "The kingdom enjoys a security connection now and thereby pays no price and only benefits," the official said, adding that Israel should seek to translate the developing relationship into diplomatic gains as well. Israeli officials reportedly view the Saudi response to the incident positively and believe the extraordinary episode could ultimately contribute to strengthening the quiet relationship between Yerushalayim and Riyadh. The incident began with an attempted takeover of the Flydubai aircraft while it was flying over Jordan and was not directed at Saudi Arabia. The aircraft subsequently made its emergency landing in Tabuk. Saudi Arabia has also allowed Flydubai aircraft to use Saudi airspace on flights to Israel since October 7, according to the report. Meanwhile, the report revealed another significant development in the covert security relationship between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Despite recent tensions following Saudi Arabia's signing of the "Mecca" alliance with Turkey and Pakistan, Riyadh recently approached Israel through the United States Central Command seeking intelligence assistance in its campaign against the Houthis. According to assessments cited in the report, Israel responded positively to the Saudi request. (YWN World Headquarters - NYC)