Saudi diplomat says Israel normalization frozen under current government
Riyadh insists the two-state solution must be finalized before talks resume, citing the current leadership's preference for escalation over peace.
By Amina Yusuf ·
A source familiar with Saudi diplomatic strategy told Israel's KAN News on Thursday that normalization talks between Riyadh and Jerusalem are effectively paused while Benjamin Netanyahu leads the government. The official stated that the Gulf nation seeks a definitive conclusion to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a two-state framework, a goal the source argues the current prime minister is not pursuing.
The source emphasized that the hesitation is rooted in policy differences rather than personal animosity. "Saudi Arabia wants peace, negotiations, and for the Israeli-Palestinian issue to be closed via a two-state solution," the source said. "But Netanyahu is not there." The official added that Riyadh does not care about the specific identity of the Israeli leader, but rather their approach to the region.
According to the KAN report, Saudi officials view the current Israeli administration as preferring conflict resolution through escalation rather than diplomacy. "Netanyahu, in our view, only wants to cause problems. He does not want peace; he wants escalation," the source said. Consequently, the source concluded that normalization is not on the diplomatic agenda until Israel forms a new government that accepts the two-state principle.
This stance aligns with previous statements from Riyadh. In October 2025, a Saudi royal family source told Israel's Channel 12 that the country was prepared to normalize relations only after Israel elected a government willing to recognize a two-state solution. That source suggested a timeline extending to the end of October 2026, contingent on political changes in Jerusalem.
The diplomatic posture became more explicit on October 25, two days before the Israeli elections. On that date, Saudi Arabia joined Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan in signing a joint statement. The document identified Israel as the fundamental source of instability in the region and beyond. This move signaled a tougher stance on the prerequisites for future engagement.
Gulf analyst Dr. Ahmed Alkhuzaie noted that the joint statement indicates the conditions for joining the Abraham Accords have become more demanding. He explained that Riyadh is signaling it will no longer separate relations with Israel from meaningful progress on the Palestinian file. In his assessment, the Saudi position suggests normalization can no longer be advanced solely through strategic, economic, or security calculations while the Palestinian question remains unresolved.
