Smotrich tells Saudis they can ‘keep riding camels’ if they insist on Palestinian state, later apologizes

He urged the government to continue expanding relations with Arab countries willing to engage without linking peace to Palestinian sovereignty.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sparked controversy Thursday and later apologized after telling the Saudis they could “keep riding camels” if they expect Israel to agree to a Palestinian state as a price for normalization.

Speaking at a Jerusalem conference, Smotrich called the Palestinian issue a “false Gordian knot” holding back regional ties and said Israel now stands at a “historic crossroads” with potential annexation of Judea and Samaria.

He urged the government to continue expanding relations with Arab countries willing to engage without linking peace to Palestinian sovereignty.

“There will never be a Palestinian government,” said Smotrich, who leads the Religious Zionism Party.

“We are advancing peace agreements with those who can live with that reality,” he said. He added that progress on the Abraham Accords could yield “economic, security, and geostrategic benefits” without concessions on statehood.

Smotrich described Israel’s current approach as one of “de facto sovereignty” in Judea and Samaria, saying the extension of Israeli authority there should serve as the standard for evaluating foreign proposals.

“In this term, we are doing something that has not happened in decades,” he said. “That’s the real test.”

Later in the day, Smotrich apologized for his remarks about the camels, calling them “absolutely inappropriate.”

In a video posted to X, he expressed regret for the insult but reaffirmed his stance against Palestinian statehood. “I expect from the Saudis not to deny our heritage or our rights in Judea and Samaria and to establish true peace with us,” he said.

The apology came hours before a scheduled White House meeting between President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where normalization was expected to be on the agenda.

Riyadh has maintained that any formal ties with Israel must include a commitment to a Palestinian state—an approach rejected by members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

Smotrich insisted that normalization can move forward with those ready to “accept Israel as it is,” while warning that many regional initiatives still seek to create a Palestinian state.

“We must be sharp and clear,” he said, “but not reject everything outright.”