Saudi Arabia’s refusal to allow an Israeli rescue plane to land isn’t just a matter of optics or external appearances. Some in Israel’s political echelon believe that as long as security and diplomatic dividends keep flowing behind the scenes, they can overlook the external symbols and forgive Saudi hypocrisy—even as Riyadh is quietly asking Israel for military help against the Houthis right now.
But with all due respect to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s problems with public opinion at home and perhaps other challenges, the moment Israel allows itself to be treated as untouchable—a force exploited behind closed doors but publicly disavowed—it legitimizes with its own hands global public opinion’s delegitimization of Israel itself, boycott movements like BDS, and even denial of its very right to exist.
Israel maintains relationships like this with other countries besides Saudi Arabia, and from all of them it receives benefits of varying significance in the immediate term. Still, the time has come to factor in the long-term strategic consideration raised here. Israel is not a pariah, Jews are not unclean, and we must not enable this narrative. Whoever seeks our help in the shadows must be willing to walk with us hand in hand in broad daylight too.