The recent remark by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who mocked Saudi Arabia by saying that “they will go back to riding camels in the desert if they support the two-state idea,” goes far beyond legitimate political criticism. It represents a statement that directly undermines Israel’s national interest.
Saudi Arabia in 2025 is not a “desert caricature” but one of the most influential states in the Arab and Islamic worlds, a regional economic powerhouse, and a prominent member of the G20.
Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has undergone a profound economic, social, and technological transformation under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030. The plan seeks to diversify the economy, reduce dependence on oil, and position Riyadh as a global actor in innovation, renewable energy, tourism, and space. It is an ambitious project in which Israel could and should be a partner, more than any other country in the region.
Key player
Saudi Arabia must be understood as a key player in shaping regional stability and a new Middle Eastern order. In recent years, Riyadh has served as a crucial bridge between the Arab world and the West, leveraging its unique combination of economic power, religious influence, and diplomatic standing. In this context, progress toward normalization with Saudi Arabia would not merely be a diplomatic success but a strategic milestone in a transforming Middle East.
Derogatory or dismissive statements toward the Saudis are unlikely to alter their policies, but they may damage mutual trust and undermine the delicate diplomatic efforts underway. The Arab world closely follows political discourse in Israel, and at such a sensitive moment, when normalization talks are constantly tested, cultural sensitivity and linguistic restraint are essential.
Abraham Accords built on mutual respect
Israel’s past successes in advancing relations with Arab states were grounded in a combination of political strength, diplomatic wisdom, and mutual respect. This is what enabled the Abraham Accords, and this is the same spirit that must guide Israel’s approach toward the Saudi kingdom, the guardian of Islam’s holy sites and the region’s largest economy. Provocative statements like Smotrich’s only complicate Israeli diplomacy, forcing it to explain and apologize instead of taking the lead.
To rebuild confidence and renew the momentum, Israel must invest in proactive diplomacy: direct engagement, messages of mutual respect, and strengthened security and economic channels. Such measures can help restore trust and advance the normalization process on a solid foundation of shared interests.
Belittling Israel's future
Peace with Saudi Arabia should not be viewed as a “reward” to an Arab state but as a strategic step capable of reshaping the regional landscape. Normalization would open the Gulf markets to Israel, reinforce the front against Iran, and help form an unprecedented strategic triangle linking Jerusalem, Riyadh, and Washington. More broadly, it would grant Israel greater regional legitimacy and deepen its integration into the Middle East.
Ultimately, those who belittle Saudi Arabia are, in effect, belittling Israel’s own future in the region. The responsibility of Israel’s leadership is to preserve mutual respect, exercise restraint, and recognize that public statements are never made in a vacuum. They 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.
The writer is a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) at Tel Aviv University and a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington.