Following Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's remark that if Saudi Arabia conditions normalization with Israel on the establishment of a Palestinian state, then they can "keep riding camels in the desert," a senior Saudi source responded: "The ignorant minister's words reflect the character of the current Israeli government."
A senior Saudi source said there was no intention to move toward normalization with the current Israeli government, following incendiary remarks by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Speaking at a Thursday conference organized by the Zomet Institute and the Makor Rishon newspaper, Smotrich said that if Saudi Arabia conditioned normalization on the establishment of a Palestinian state, then they can "keep riding camels in the desert."
His comments triggered a political firestorm and drew criticism from both within Israel and abroad. Several hours later, Smotrich apologized for what he called an "Unfortunate comment."
Sovereignty is the test," Smotrich declared. "If Saudi Arabia tells us normalization in exchange for a Palestinian state, then friends, no thank you. Keep riding camels in the desert; we'll continue developing our economy, society, and country, and all the great things we know how to do." He added, "The State of Israel is the State of Israel in all its borders – it will never establish a Palestinian state." (Read More)
