Netanyahu comments on the change in the path of normalization with Saudi Arabia
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday commented on the change in Saudi Arabia’s regional positions, saying that those who want normalization shouldn’t join those that rob Israel of its legitimacy.
This came in response to a question during a press conference held on Tuesday evening at his office in Jerusalem.
Netanyahu was asked by a reporter for The Times of Israel: “In recent months, we have seen Saudi Arabia dramatically change its position in the region, move closer to Türkiye and Qatar, and distance itself from the UAE, do you still think that normalization with Saudi Arabia is possible in the near future and how do you see the shift in its position?”
Netanyahu responded: “I don’t want to be the Saudi commentator, we follow these things, and we don’t ignore them either”.
He added, “It’s clear that we expect anyone who wants to sign a normalization agreement and peace agreements with us not to join the efforts directed by parties and ideologies that contradict peace, attack the State of Israel, and delegitimize it”.
“I would be happy if we signed a normalization and peace agreement with Saudi Arabia, assuming that Saudi Arabia wants a normalization agreement with a secure and strong Israel,” Netanyahu continued.
On more than one occasion, Saudi Arabia has conditioned the Israeli government’s approval of the establishment of a Palestinian state in exchange for normalizing relations with it.
In October, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich refused to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia if offered in exchange for a Palestinian state, using offensive language for the kingdom.
At the time, Smotrich, the leader of the Religious Zionist Party, said in an interview during a seminar, “If Saudi Arabia offers us normalization in exchange for a Palestinian state, I say, ‘No thanks,'”.
He addressed the Saudis, saying, “Keep riding camels in the desert of Saudi Arabia”.
