Alert issued by Smotrich, cautioning potential risks to war benefits with normalization of ties with Saudi Arabia.
Warning on Saudi Arabia Normalization: Smotrich's Views
Take a Deep Dive into the Abraham Accords' Latest Developments
In a stark warning last Monday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sounded cautious alarms about normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia, voicing concerns about potential risks, especially regarding long-standing objectives such as the political dismantling of Hamas in Gaza.
Smotrich, a hardline figure from the rightmost wing of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet, has been vocal about his reservations towards Saudi Arabia normalization, should it mean acknowledging a Palestinian state.
A Shift in Relations
The Abraham Accords, a remarkable diplomatic achievement, has already engulfed Israel in friendlier ties with the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. Nevertheless, the prospect of Saudi Arabia delving into this symbolic pact has, in the past, taken a backseat due to the Gaza conflict and calls for future Palestinian self-governance.
The Trump Factor
Smotrich lauds the "refreshing change" associated with the Trump era's resurgence, in contrast to the "antagonistic stance" of the Biden administration, which he accuses of shunning a substantial portion of Israel's populace. He believes President Trump will continue to champion Israel's security and prominence, as demonstrated in the past.
A Changing Landscape
Smotrich also applauds the U.S. special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, for his unwavering support of Israel, citing his "unwavering commitment" to the Jewish state. The Trump administration's approach, according to Smotrich, embodies mutual respect and acknowledgment for Israeli democracy.
As for Saudi Arabia's potential entry into the Abraham Accords, Smotrich's stance remains largely unclear. His strong stance on Israeli territory and sovereignty may influence his views on any territorial compromise or normalization talks.
Sources:
- Geopolitics
- The New York Times
- The Washington Post
- Reuters
- CNN
- Amidst concerns about potential risks and the political dismantling of Hamas in Gaza, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has expressed caution about normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia.
- Smotrich's reservations towards Saudi Arabia normalization are rooted in his opposition to any acknowledgment of a Palestinian state.
- The Abraham Accords, a series of policy-and-legislative moves aimed at normalizing war-and-conflicts in the Middle East, have already strengthened Israel's relations with the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco, but have faced opposition due to calls for future Palestinian self-governance and the Gaza conflict.
- In the context of the political landscape under the Biden administration, Smotrich praises the Trump era's resurgence, which he sees as a refreshing change from the antagonistic stance of the current administration.
- Smotrich believes the Trump administration's approach to Middle East policy-and-legislation embodies mutual respect and acknowledgment for Israeli democracy, and he applauds the unwavering support of the U.S. special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, for this stance. The outcome of Saudi Arabia's potential entry into the Abraham Accords may be influenced by Smotrich's strong opinions on Israeli territory and sovereignty.
