"Israel is not a mistress": expert on the absurdity shown by Flydubai

David Ben Bassat, CEO of Radius 100FM radio, in a column for Maariv analyzes the absurdity of a situation where countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, ask Israel for intelligence and protection, but publicly turn away and vote against it. The author calls on Israel to demand honesty, respect, and reciprocity, rather than settling for secret cooperation without public recognition.

David Ben Bassat, CEO of Radius 100FM radio and honorary consul of Nauru in Israel, in a column for Maariv analyzes what he sees as an absurd situation in the Middle East. He writes that countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, through CENTCOM ask Israel for intelligence, technology, and security assistance, but on the international stage vote against it. The author cites the example of Saudi Arabia, threatened by the Houthis: despite a defense agreement with Turkey and Pakistan, it turns to Israel for intelligence. Ben Bassat calls on Israel not to accept this state of affairs and to demand honest treatment, respect, and reciprocity. He also mentions the Flydubai flight incident, where four Israelis neutralized an attacker, but Saudi Arabia refused to approve an Israeli rescue flight, and the UAE did not mention the Israeli heroes. According to the author, Israel should evaluate each cooperation by its return and demand a clear balance of responsibility.