Israeli-Saudi Normalization

Saudi Arabia is a key state, because of its political, religious, and economic weight, as well as its centrality to the Iranian and Palestinian issues.

During Monday's press conference, the finance minister hit out against Saudi Arabia once again, as well as Israelis who he said were "insulted" on the Saudis' behalf.

The comments are heard in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Washington, and they shape how Israel is perceived by its current and potential partners in building a more stable and prosperous regional order.

“If Saudi Arabia says normalization in exchange for a Palestinian state, friends, no thank you. Keep riding camels in the sands of the desert in Saudi Arabia," Smotrich said.

Saudi officials have in the past demanded an irreversible pathway to Palestinian statehood as a prerequisite to normalizing relations with Israel.

The Saudi royal source said that he believes that normalization with Israel will happen once Israel elects a new government. 

This comes after a similar warning from the UAE, which stated that any annexation would be a red flag that could lead his country to exit the Abraham Accords.

By taking the route of normalization, Israel will realize its long-awaited “total victory” in this war by defeating Iran and Hamas.

DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS: Normalization with Saudi Arabia is possible even without a Palestinian state, Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel says.

Saudi's Foreign Minister also highlighted the need to return to diplomatic negotiations when it comes to Iran's nuclear program.

Graham said he had already spoken to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who “made it very clear … Israel is not going to live this way anymore.”