Smotrich on Saudi Arabia: “You Want a Palestinian State? Keep Riding Camels”

Speaking at the Tzomet Institute and Makor Rishon Conference, Smotrich said bluntly: “If Saudi Arabia tells us ‘normalization in exchange for a Palestinian state,’ then friends, no, thank you. Continue riding camels in the Saudi desert.”

Smotrich’s party recently voted in favor of a proposal that directly contradicts Saudi Arabia’s reported demand to link normalization with progress toward Palestinian statehood.

The finance minister went on to say that right-wing parties have a “trauma” from times when international goodwill led only to bloodshed. “When the nations of the world embrace us, it usually ends with exploding buses,” he said. “We don’t need to say no right away, but we must be cautious. By the end of this term, Israeli sovereignty will be applied in Judea and Samaria, despite American opposition,” he added — ignoring President Donald Trump’s clear message against such a move.

Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is scheduled to visit the White House on November 18 to meet with President Trump. The visit will mark his first since Trump’s return to office. Riyadh is seeking a defense pact with Washington as part of broader regional negotiations.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid reacted sharply to Smotrich’s comments, posting on his Arabic-language X account: “To our friends in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, Smotrich does not represent Israel.”

{Matzav.com}