SMOTRICH’S HARMFUL CAMEL STATEMENT - Hurting prospects of normalization between Jerusalem and Riyadh
By: Joseph Puder
October 31, 2025
For Israel’s foreign policy and security to achieve optimal success, there is a need to bring into the Abraham Accords the leader of the Sunni-Muslim Arab World – Saudi Arabia. Not only do the Saudis sit on enormous wealth, but they are also the guardians of the two holiest places for Islam – Mecca and Medina. Last week’s idiotic and insulting remark by Israel’s Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich, that ‘the Saudis can go back to riding their camels in the desert’ caused enormous damage to Netanyahu’s coalition government and to the State of Israel. Still, in all fairness, Smotrich was reacting to the fact that the Saudis will only normalize ties if Israel commits to a clear path toward Palestinian statehood. By right, Prime Minister Netanyahu should have fired him, but the need to preserve his coalition prevents him from doing so. The result is that Saudi Arabia is making it clear that it will not seek normalization with the current Israeli government.
The hapless Smotrich has subsequently apologized, saying that “My comment about Saudi Arabia was ill-considered.” People like Smotrich cannot see beyond their circle of supporters and they have a narrow view of the world around them, which is in total contrast with Netanyahu’s global view. Moreover, Smotrich’s damaging camel comment has exacted a price regarding how the Trump administration treat Netanyahu’s government - with some apprehension and mistrust. The Trump administration invested heavily in the Gaza Peace plan, and it won’t let the likes of Smotrich derail it. Hence, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of state Marco Rubio flew to Israel to ensure that no hasty action or stupid statements endanger the cease-fire.
Benjamin Netanyahu has been placed in a difficult position; he knows that he cannot lose the US’s trust in his government or risk damaging his personal relationship with Donald Trump - which exacted a reaction from the Trump administration akin to treating Israel as a vassal state. Trump is deciding which countries will be part of the team disarming and expelling Hamas from Gaza, possibly including Israel’s arch enemies Erdogan’s Turkey and Hamas’ financier, the Emirate of Qatar. In a recent interview Trump said to a reporter “Don't worry, Israel isn't going to do anything with the West Bank. They're behaving very nicely.” This condescending statement came after Israel’s Knesset voted on Israel’s extending sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.
The repercussions of Smotrich’s statement might have had an additional response from the Saudis who were going to be part of the Gaza International Stabilization Force ISF) but decided to withdraw. Whereas the Turks and the Qataris want guarantees that Israel will uphold its obligations regarding the peace deal before investing in reconstruction, namely, that Israel will not retaliate against Hamas’ provocations and attempts to kill Israelis, the Emiratis and the Saudis demand Hamas' full disarmament and exclusion from future governance in Gaza, plus a PA overhaul. The Saudis could be a very positive element in the future of Gaza, and especially the more friendly (to Israel) Emiratis. But the United Arab Emirates (UAE) usually follow the Saudi lead.
The Muslim Brotherhood states, Turkey and Qatar, and their ideological followers along with Iran, have attempted to destabilize and damage the Saudi monarchy. Erdogan sought to embarrass the Saudis and its de-facto leader Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS) over the Jamal Khashoggi murder in Turkey. There is also a bitter rivalry between Ankara (Erdogan) and Riyadh (MBS) over the leadership of the Sunni-Muslim world. Recognizing that the security and economic interests of the Israel and Saudi Arabia are in accord, Israel is being careful in their dealings with the Saudis in the hopes they become allies. During the 12-Day War between Israel and Iran, Iranian drones targeting Israel were intercepted by Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Jordan. Iran is a central focus of this trilateral security cooperation – with Israel providing the Saudis and Emiratis vital intelligence.
Israel’s current isolation in the world might be somewhat remedied by removing Ben Gvir or Smotrich from the coalition and adding Benny Gantz ‘s Blue and White-National Unity party which has eight mandates, though not enough to forge a majority with a total of only 58 mandates. Adding Avigdor Lieberman’s Israel Our Home party would add 6 seats for a comfortable majority of 64 mandates, but that would force the religious parties to exit the coalition. All of which leaves Netanyahu with a critical personal dilemma. Resign now and enjoy a great legacy (his trials will eventually be dismissed) or call for elections next year, which may not change the composition of the coalition and might even install a left-leaning coalition.
Perhaps one way out of this morass is to discipline Ben Gvir and Smotrich and limit their public pronouncements to their respective portfolios. This will probably not be a panacea, nor is it likely that the Saudis will change their position regarding normalization with Israel. However, as President Trump was able to bring the Islamic states together to join the Trump Peace Plan for Gaza, possibly he’ll be able to convince Riyadh to join the Abraham Accords and enter normalization talks with Israel. Recent reports suggest that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to visit the White House in November 2025 to discuss normalization and a bilateral defense pact with the U.S. Let us hope that Trump will bring about another breakthrough in the cause of regional peace.