Israeli-Saudi Normalization

Replacing Netanyahu is not enough. Israel needs a strategy for ending the conflict - opinion

Israel does not need another government that manages the conflict until the next explosion.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a reception marking the opening of the Colombian Embassy in Jerusalem, held at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, October 14, 2026.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs the inaugural session of the Shura Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 10, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s security needs expose limits of diplomacy, give Israel an opportunity - analysis

 An F-35 plane stands on the tarmac at Nevatim Air Force Base.

US approves possible F-35 Saudi deal despite Israeli push to link normalization, sale - analysis

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could revive Israel-Saudi normalization efforts - analysis


‘Which model for the Middle East?’: Trump and MBS bet on a Saudi-centered order - analysis

As Washington recalibrates and regional powers realign, Riyadh pushes a vision that could redefine Middle Eastern geopolitics

US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman attend the US-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington on Wednesday. Israel’s quiet over the F-35 deal is part of a strategy, the writer maintains.

Israel’s road to peace with Saudi Arabia: A deal is imminent, but only after elections - opinion

The peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia is more or less written, and the only remaining question is timing. 

A VOTER casts his ballot at a polling station in Kafr Manda, in the Knesset election in March 2021. The Saudis are interested in seeing a new government formed in Israel, even if it still includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, says the writer.

Trump unlikely to approve F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia, but could still change mind - report

The potential sale of the fighter jets to Saudi Arabia had raised concerns about Israel's ability to maintain its qualitative military edge in the region.

Israeli Air Force F-35s seen arriving to an Israeli base, on March 15, 2025

Trump aims for Middle East recalibration with Syria, Saudi Arabia at the center - analysis

US President Donald Trump met Syrian and Saudi Arabian leaders, two key players in his plan for peace in the Middle East.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia/

Before talks with Trump, Saudi Arabia doubles down on terms for Israel ties - analysis

With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu staunchly opposed to Palestinian statehood, Saudi Arabia sees no immediate prospect to satisfy Trump’s demand that it normalize ties with Israel.

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud attend the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh in May. The deeper the Saudi-American partnership becomes, the less incentive Riyadh will have to normalize ties with Israel, the writer asserts.

Israel must carefully consider how to preserve its role within the US-Saudi 'triangle' - opinion

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.

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud attend the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh in May. The deeper the Saudi-American partnership becomes, the less incentive Riyadh will have to normalize ties with Israel, the writer asserts.

Smotrich claims Saudi Arabia denies Israeli tradition and heritage, doubling down on Riyadh row

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.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, October 27, 2025

Camel criticism crisis: Smotrich's comments harm Israel, not Saudi Arabia - opinion

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.

FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich attends a Knesset Finance Committee meeting earlier this year. Ultimately, those who belittle Saudi Arabia are, in effect, belittling Israel’s own future in the region, the writer warns.

Smotrich tells Saudis to 'keep riding camels' over Palestinian state, later apologizes

“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.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Makor Rishon conference in Jerusalem, October 23, 2025

Trump's Gaza plan: Prelude to Saudi normalization? - opinion

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

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump speaks with War Secretary Pete Hegseth as talks take place with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh in May. Trump appears to be moving additional pieces on the regional chess board, says the writer.