Israeli-Saudi Normalization

Saudi Arabia can't have peace with Israel and reject Jewish sovereignty - opinion

If Saudi Arabia thinks “Zionist” is an Insult, it’s not ready for Abraham Accords peace or economic integration.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman announces a zero-carbon city called "The Line" to be built at NEOM in northwestern Saudi Arabia, January 10, 2021.

Where is Mohammed bin Salman’s mother? And why does it matter for Israel? - opinion

 US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman shake hands during a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025.

Saudi normalization with Israel: Is it farther than ever? - opinion

People take part in a rally in support of Palestinians and to condemn Israeli forces' interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla vessels aiming to reach Gaza and break Israel's naval blockade, in Istanbul, Turkey, October 5, 2025.

Between PA and Turkey, Gaza’s peacekeeping future could reshape Israel’s borders - analysis


Normalization with Saudi Arabia cannot begin while Mecca broadcasts antisemitic hate - editorial

In a weekly sermon delivered at Mecca two days before the Bondi Beach terror attack the preacher called on God to punish the Jews and portrayed Israel as a cruel “Zionist enemy."

 Muslims perform their evening prayers around the holy Kaaba as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 16, 2023.

‘Which model for the Middle East?’: Trump and MBS bet on a Saudi-centered order - analysis

As Washington recalibrates and regional powers realign, Riyadh pushes a vision that could redefine Middle Eastern geopolitics

US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman attend the US-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington on Wednesday. Israel’s quiet over the F-35 deal is part of a strategy, the writer maintains.

Israel’s road to peace with Saudi Arabia: A deal is imminent, but only after elections - opinion

The peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia is more or less written, and the only remaining question is timing. 

A VOTER casts his ballot at a polling station in Kafr Manda, in the Knesset election in March 2021. The Saudis are interested in seeing a new government formed in Israel, even if it still includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, says the writer.

Trump unlikely to approve F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia, but could still change mind - report

The potential sale of the fighter jets to Saudi Arabia had raised concerns about Israel's ability to maintain its qualitative military edge in the region.

Israeli Air Force F-35s seen arriving to an Israeli base, on March 15, 2025

Trump aims for Middle East recalibration with Syria, Saudi Arabia at the center - analysis

US President Donald Trump met Syrian and Saudi Arabian leaders, two key players in his plan for peace in the Middle East.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia/

Before talks with Trump, Saudi Arabia doubles down on terms for Israel ties - analysis

With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu staunchly opposed to Palestinian statehood, Saudi Arabia sees no immediate prospect to satisfy Trump’s demand that it normalize ties with Israel.

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud attend the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh in May. The deeper the Saudi-American partnership becomes, the less incentive Riyadh will have to normalize ties with Israel, the writer asserts.

Israel must carefully consider how to preserve its role within the US-Saudi 'triangle' - opinion

Saudi Arabia is a key state, because of its political, religious, and economic weight, as well as its centrality to the Iranian and Palestinian issues.

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud attend the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh in May. The deeper the Saudi-American partnership becomes, the less incentive Riyadh will have to normalize ties with Israel, the writer asserts.

Smotrich claims Saudi Arabia denies Israeli tradition and heritage, doubling down on Riyadh row

During Monday's press conference, the finance minister hit out against Saudi Arabia once again, as well as Israelis who he said were "insulted" on the Saudis' behalf.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, October 27, 2025

Camel criticism crisis: Smotrich's comments harm Israel, not Saudi Arabia - opinion

The comments are heard in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Washington, and they shape how Israel is perceived by its current and potential partners in building a more stable and prosperous regional order.

FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich attends a Knesset Finance Committee meeting earlier this year. Ultimately, those who belittle Saudi Arabia are, in effect, belittling Israel’s own future in the region, the writer warns.

Smotrich tells Saudis to 'keep riding camels' over Palestinian state, later apologizes

“If Saudi Arabia says normalization in exchange for a Palestinian state, friends, no thank you. Keep riding camels in the sands of the desert in Saudi Arabia," Smotrich said.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Makor Rishon conference in Jerusalem, October 23, 2025