According to a report by Times of Israel, on Monday October 27, 2025, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has issued sharp criticism of Saudi Arabia, dismissing the kingdom’s importance to Israel’s future and rejecting any normalization agreement that includes conditions for Palestinian statehood.
“Where were you when they accused IDF soldiers of genocide? We’ve managed 77 years without them, and we’ll manage another 77,” Smotrich declared in his latest remarks targeting Riyadh.
The minister’s comments underscore the deepening divide between Israel’s right-wing government and Saudi Arabia over the conditions for establishing diplomatic relations.
Speaking to reporters before his party’s faction meeting, Smotrich maintained his hardline position against any peace agreement that would require territorial concessions.
He insisted that while Israel “has always extended a hand in peace,” the country “will not accept any conditions that involve dividing the land, giving up parts of our homeland, or denying our heritage and our roots.”
Earlier this week, Smotrich made controversial remarks suggesting the Saudis could “keep riding camels” if they continued to demand Palestinian statehood as a precondition for normalization.
The comments drew immediate backlash and highlighted the significant obstacles facing diplomatic efforts in the region.
Saudi Arabia has consistently maintained that normalization with Israel is contingent upon Jerusalem establishing a time-bound and irreversible pathway toward a Palestinian state.
This position directly conflicts with the stance of Smotrich and other members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government, who vehemently oppose such arrangements.
Addressing the situation in Gaza, Smotrich declared that “the war is not over yet,” despite the recent ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.
He emphasized that Israel would not permit reconstruction efforts in Gaza until Hamas has been completely dismantled, calling this “a fundamental condition for rebuilding.
Find Verified News At Your fingertips Click The Button Below. ⬇️
Leave a Reply