Haaretz claims Netanyahu seeks Saudi approval to join Yemen campaign, Bin Salman reluctant
- Haaretz reported Monday, citing an unnamed diplomatic source, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking Saudi approval, through US mediators, for ‘Israel’ to join the campaign against Yemen’s Houthis.
- The source said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman opposes ‘Israeli’ military involvement over fears of public backlash in Saudi Arabia.
- Netanyahu hopes the move would deepen ties with Riyadh and help lead to a future normalization agreement, the report said.
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is working through US intermediaries to win Saudi Arabia’s consent for ‘Israel’ to join the fight against Yemen’s Houthis, Haaretz claimed on Monday, but Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has resisted the idea.
The newspaper cited a diplomatic source who said the crown prince opposes ‘Israeli’ military involvement because of the likely backlash among the Saudi public. The source said Netanyahu’s efforts are aimed at strengthening ties with Riyadh and paving the way for a normalization agreement.
The request follows Saturday’s missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, in which Saudi authorities initially counted 12 dead and more than 300 wounded. Netanyahu condemned the attack on Sunday as a “horrific terrorist attack.”
Where the war stands
A Saudi-backed Yemeni government offensive, “Dawn of Yemen,” began on Oct. 4. On Saturday, President Donald Trump said the United States was weighing whether to join Saudi strikes on the Houthis. US help has so far been limited to intelligence, targeting and refueling.
‘Israel’ is already a target of the Houthi group. The Houthis resumed missile and drone attacks on ‘Israel’ on March 28, after the war on Iran began, ending a pause that followed the 2025 Gaza ceasefire. ‘Israel’ has carried out airstrikes in Yemen before, including strikes on Sanaa and Hodeidah in Aug. 2025.
