Saudi Arabia Links Normalization to Palestinian Issue, Not Netanyahu's Identity
Translated & summarized from Makan by baba
An informed Saudi source told Channel 12 that normalization with Israel is off the table while Benjamin Netanyahu leads the government, emphasizing a desire for peace through a two-state solution. The Kingdom's position is based on government policies, not Netanyahu's identity, and links normalization to progress on the Palestinian issue. Saudi Arabia will deal with future Israeli governments based on their willingness to negotiate the conflict.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Saudi Arabia will not normalize ties with Israel under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
- Normalization is contingent on progress toward a two-state solution for the Palestinian conflict.
- The Kingdom desires peace and negotiations, but criticizes Netanyahu's approach.
- Saudi Arabia's stance is based on government policies, not Netanyahu's personal identity.
- Riyadh will assess future Israeli governments on their commitment to conflict resolution.
Saudi Arabia has stated that normalizing relations with Israel is not on the table as long as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his current government remain in power, according to an informed Saudi source speaking to Channel 12 on Thursday evening. The source clarified that Saudi Arabia desires peace and negotiations leading to a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the two-state solution. "Saudi Arabia wants peace and negotiations, but Netanyahu does not adopt this approach," the source added.
The Kingdom's stance is not about Netanyahu personally but about the policies of his government, which are preventing progress in bilateral relations. The source emphasized that Riyadh views Netanyahu as not seeking peace but preferring escalation. While acknowledging that the identity of Israel's prime minister is an internal Israeli matter determined by voters, Saudi Arabia will engage with any future government based on its genuine willingness to negotiate and resolve the conflict.
The source reiterated that Saudi Arabia insists on linking normalization with Israel to progress on the Palestinian issue and the two-state solution, rather than other matters like Israel's involvement in confronting the Houthis in Yemen.
