'Israeli' minister insults Saudi Arabia once again

‘Israeli’ Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has once again sparked controversy with remarks directed at Saudi Arabia, just days after apologizing for a previous insult.

Speaking at a public event, Smotrich declared that ‘Israel’ could “manage without” Saudi Arabia for another 77 years.

“This submissive stance, I see everyone bowing to the Saudis,” he added. “Oh my goodness, the Saudis. We insulted the Saudis. What about it?”

“In the face of all this, they expect us to part with the inheritance of our ancestors, to split our land in two, to establish a terrorist state, to endanger our existence and our future, and that's okay?” Smotrich said, criticizing countries that have recognized the State of Palestine. “We managed excellently without them for 77 years, and we will manage excellently without them for another 77 years.”

Read more: “Keep riding camels”: Smotrich says he regrets remarks about Saudi Arabia

The far-right minister appeared to defend his earlier “keep riding camels in the desert” remark, which he had apologized for only four days earlier. Though he acknowledged that his previous statement was “offensive” and said there was “no need to offend,” he maintained that ‘Israel’ should act with “national pride, national dignity, and immense strength.”

Smotrich accused the international community, including Saudi Arabia, France, and others, of taking a “one-sided” approach by recognizing a Palestinian state. 

He went on to say that those offended by his comments toward Saudi Arabia should instead be “offended by the insults” directed at ‘Israeli’ soldiers and what he described as the “most justified campaign we have been conducting in the last two years for our existence and security.”

Smotrich’s latest remarks risk deepening tensions with Riyadh, which has yet to respond officially. The comments come at a sensitive time, as the US continues to push for a potential normalization deal between ‘Israel’ and Saudi Arabia, one that Saudi officials have repeatedly stated is conditional on an irreversible pathway to a Palestinian state.