Saudi Arabia Should Keep Riding Camels, Says Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich
Smotrich Rejects Trump’s Proposal for Saudi Arabia to Join the Abraham Accords
Tel Aviv ( Web News )
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal, saying that Israel will not agree to any normalization deal with Saudi Arabia if it requires the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The Israeli minister mocked Saudi Arabia over its condition for a Palestinian state, saying, “If a Palestinian state is the condition, then keep riding your camels.”
Speaking at a conference, Smotrich stated:
“We will not accept normalization in exchange for a Palestinian state. If establishing a Palestinian state is the price for relations, then thank you very much — continue riding your camels. We will continue developing our economy, our society, and our state, and doing the great things we know how to do.”
Earlier, in an interview with Fox Business Network, U.S. President Donald Trump had said that Saudi Arabia would soon join the Abraham Accords.
“I want Saudi Arabia to join the agreement. When Saudi Arabia joins, everyone will join,” he said.
Trump added that multiple countries had expressed willingness to join the accords during talks held on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, despite Trump’s opposition, the Israeli Knesset approved a move to illegally annex the West Bank into Israel — a decision strongly condemned by Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia stated that it rejects Israeli settlement expansion and expansionist ambitions.
Qatar also denounced the move, calling it an attempt to undermine Palestinian rights and reaffirming its support for a two-state solution.
The United Nations has also urged Israel to halt its expansionist plans.
Commenting on the proposed annexation of the West Bank, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said that the Gaza ceasefire agreement remains in place despite some obstacles and exceptions.
In a statement on Thursday, he said President Trump opposes the annexation of the West Bank.
Vance clarified that both Israel and Hamas are respecting the ceasefire agreement, though some exceptions have occurred.
“The agreement still holds,” he said, adding that there are disagreements about implementation, but talks continue, and the U.S. is working with Israel to strengthen the ‘Gaza Plan.’
He also said the U.S. government remains in contact with its partners regarding Gaza’s future and post-war phase.
Vance reaffirmed that the U.S. will not deploy any troops in Palestinian territories.
Speaking about Gaza’s reconstruction, he added:
“We will begin rebuilding areas where Hamas no longer exists.”
He expressed hope that the reconstruction of Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, would be completed within two or three years.