Smotrich attacks the idea of conditional normalization with Saudi Arabia: "Keep riding camels!"

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich made new provocative statements, saying that he rejects any agreement to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia if it is conditioned on the establishment of a Palestinian state, adding sarcastically:   "No thanks, keep riding camels in the Saudi desert."

The stance came at a religious conference

These statements were made during a conference titled "Halakha in the Technological Era" organized by the Zoomit Institute and Makor Rishon newspaper, where Smotrich emphasized that the Israeli government would not accept "any political settlement" that leads to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Angry reactions and racist criticisms

The Israeli minister's statements sparked a storm of criticism both inside and outside Israel, with media and analysts describing them as having a racist and insulting tone towards Saudi Arabia and Arabs. These sensitive statements come at a delicate diplomatic timing, as Washington prepares to host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman next month to discuss the possibility of advancing the normalization process between Riyadh and Tel Aviv.

The steadfast Saudi position

Saudi Arabia has confirmed for years that it will not normalize relations with Israel except in the case of establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, a condition that Smotrich and several ministers in Netanyahu's government strongly oppose, who are against any step towards a two-state solution.