Saudi official: Normalization with Israel stalled under Netanyahu government

A source familiar with the diplomatic agenda of Saudi Arabia has indicated that a path to normalization with Israel remains blocked while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads the country. Speaking to Israel's KAN News on Thursday, the official explained that the Kingdom seeks peace and negotiations, specifically aiming to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a two-state solution. The source noted that the current Israeli leadership is not aligned with these objectives.

"Saudi Arabia wants peace, negotiations, and for the Israeli-Palestinian issue to be closed via a two-state solution," the source stated. "But Netanyahu is not there." This assessment highlights a significant gap between the diplomatic goals of Riyadh and the perceived direction of the Israeli government.

The official emphasized that the hesitation is rooted in policy differences rather than personal animosity. According to the source, Saudi Arabia does not focus on the specific identity of the Israeli prime minister. Instead, the concern lies with the governing approach. The source characterized the current leadership's stance as one that favors escalation over peace, arguing that this posture complicates the prospect of regional cooperation.

"Netanyahu, in our view, only wants to cause problems. He does not want peace; he wants escalation," the source told KAN. The official concluded that as long as the current government remains in power, the topic of normalization will not be a priority for the Saudi diplomatic agenda.

This position is consistent with previous statements made by Saudi figures over the past year. In October 2025, a source from the Saudi royal family told Israel's Channel 12 that the country is prepared to normalize relations once Israel elects a new government that recognizes the two-state principle. The official suggested that such a shift could occur within the next year, potentially before the end of October 2026, if a suitable government is formed.

"Maybe it will happen before the end of October 2026, meaning more than a year from now, if a new government is formed that accepts the two-state principle and ends the Middle East crisis once and for all, God willing," the source told Channel 12 at the time. This timeline aligns with the recent comments suggesting that a change in Israeli political leadership is a prerequisite for progress.

Recent diplomatic moves have further complicated the landscape. On October 25, two days prior to the Israeli elections, Saudi Arabia signed a joint statement with Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan. The declaration described Israel as the fundamental source of instability in the region and beyond. While this strong language might suggest a break in ties, experts argue that the Kingdom has not entirely abandoned its interest in the Abraham Accords.

Dr. Ahmed Alkhuzaie, a Gulf analyst, told The Jerusalem Post that the recent statement indicates that the political and diplomatic conditions for normalization have become more demanding. He noted that the statement reinforces the message that Riyadh is unlikely to decouple its relations with Israel from meaningful progress on the Palestinian file.

In effect, Saudi Arabia is signaling that normalization can no longer be advanced solely through strategic, economic, or security calculations while the Palestinian question remains unresolved. The current stance suggests that any future agreement will require a comprehensive resolution to the regional conflict, rather than a standalone deal based on mutual interests.

The developments underscore the high stakes involved in the upcoming political changes in Israel. For Saudi Arabia, the timing of normalization appears to be contingent on a shift in Israeli policy that prioritizes a two-state solution. Until such a government is in place, the source maintains that the agenda for formalizing ties will remain on hold.