Saudi Arabia refused Israel’s request to send military planes (C-130J transports) to collect passengers after the Flydubai emergency landing in Tabuk.

The two countries have no diplomatic relations.

Passengers instead left on a replacement Flydubai civilian aircraft after some initially refused to board another Flydubai plane.

Saudi Arabia accepted the emergency landing and treated the injured pilots at a local hospital, but drew the line at Israeli military aircraft entering its territory.

Passengers arrived at Ben Gurion 10+ hours after original departure.

Netanyahu met them at the airport.

Israel thought they were almost friends. So they believed Saudi Arabia would let Anything. But Saudi Arabia said Big No

Saudi Arabia made one thing clear: it will talk and work quietly with Israel, but it will not let any Israeli planes or flags land on its soil, even in a rescue.

Any friendship will happen only on Saudi Arabia’s terms. Not Israel’s.

Source: Reuters