Israeli officials were forced to confront Saudi Arabia's reluctance to cooperate during Wednesday's incident involving a flydubai flight from Dubai, despite years of claims by Israel's political and defense establishments that warm understandings had developed behind the scenes with Riyadh.
At the critical moment, however, the reality was very different. Although the Saudis went to great lengths to receive and assist the Israeli passengers aboard the flydubai flight, they did not fully cooperate with Israel.
A rescue flight using Israel Air Force aircraft did not materialize. Nor did an Israeli civilian flight, which would have greatly reassured the passengers.
The Mossad instead had to work to verify the identities of the new flight crew in order to reassure passengers shaken by the terrorist attack.
Israel also did not receive precise details directly from Saudi Arabia about the initial investigation. Most of the information came from the United Arab Emirates, the passengers themselves, and the US.
Expectations among Israeli defense officials had been far higher than those of Mossad officials responsible for foreign relations, against the backdrop of events and contacts in recent years, as well as the broader campaign against Iran and other regional developments.
The episode highlights the significant gap between what takes place publicly and what happens behind the scenes, as well as Saudi Arabia's concern over that divide.
Israel transferring intelligence on Houthis to Saudi Arabia
A week and a half earlier, Walla first reported that Israel had been transferring intelligence to Saudi Arabia through US mediation regarding the Houthis, as part of efforts by the Saudi military to repel attacks on the Saudi home front, military bases, and oil facilities.
Despite the lack of cooperation, Israel's request to become a full partner in the investigation alongside all relevant parties in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates remains on the table.
Defense officials said that at this stage, "everything is difficult because the way the event is framed by the moderate Sunni Arab states is completely different from the Israeli narrative."
Last Friday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir made an unusual visit to Mossad headquarters as the guest of Mossad Director Roman Gofman.
During the meeting, officials presented capabilities and regional assessments. Officials described the meeting as "professional and positive."