JERUSALEM: Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Thursday apologized for what he called his “unfortunate” remarks about Saudi Arabia, after facing backlash for making disparaging comments toward the Kingdom.
Speaking at a conference earlier in the day, Smotrich had rejected the idea of Saudi Arabia linking normalization with Israel to the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
“If Saudi Arabia tells us normalization in exchange for a Palestinian state, friends, no thank you,” he said. “Keep riding camels on the sand in the Saudi desert; we’ll keep developing our economy, our society, and our state.”
The comments sparked swift criticism at home, with opposition figures accusing Smotrich of damaging Israel’s international standing.
In a video statement posted on X, Smotrich expressed regret, calling his earlier remarks “unfortunate.”
“I regret any offense they may have caused,” he said, adding that he also expects others “not to offend the State of Israel.”
Smotrich, who lives in a West Bank settlement, is a strong advocate for annexing Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid denounced the comments, posting in Arabic on X:
“To our friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Smotrich does not represent the State of Israel.”
Lapid later urged the minister to issue a formal apology.
Former defense minister Benny Gantz also criticized Smotrich, saying his comments “reflect ignorance and a lack of understanding of his responsibilities as a senior minister.”
Saudi Arabia’s normalization talks with Israel have been on hold since Hamas’s October 2023 attack on southern Israel, which triggered the ongoing Gaza war.
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