When Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared last week that the Saudis could just “keep riding camels” if a Palestinian state was a precondition for normalization with Israel, he ignited a political firestorm, offending Riyadh, infuriating Washington and embarrassing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is eagerly pursuing a US-brokered bridge to the Arab world’s biggest and most important player.

Even for a politician who routinely courts controversy with incendiary statements, Smotrich’s comment seemed audacious. Roundly denounced, he eventually apologized for the “inappropriate” camel jibe, but held firm on his rejection of diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia if it meant allowing Palestinians to establish a state.

The episode, far more than a political gaffe or theater, was a strategic move that served a dual purpose for the leader of the far-right Religious Zionism party: advancing his electoral prospects while reinforcing the political realities that ultimately keep him tethered to Netanyahu’s coalition. Unlikely to do any real damage to normalization efforts or his alliance with the premier, Smotrich’s comment carried limited risk and a high likelihood of reward.

Smotrich “knows Bibi needs him,” a Knesset source said, using Netanyahu’s nickname. “He can embarrass Netanyahu and nothing will happen.”

Prof. Gideon Rahat, a senior fellow in the Israel Democracy Institute’s Political Reform Program, called the comments a “win-win for Smotrich,” allowing him to shore up his base and bolster his anti-Palestinian bona fides for right-wing voters.

Elections are currently set for October 2026, though........

© The Times of Israel