Netanyahu pushes for Saudi normalization to UN hall without Saudi delegation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday said that normalized relations with Saudi Arabia would be a “blessing” – to a United Nations’ hall without a Saudi delegation.

Amid jeers, many delegates left the General Assembly Hall as Netanyahu took the stage.

“To truly realize the blessing of a new Middle East, we must continue the path we paved with the Abraham Accords four years ago,” Netanyahu said.

“Above all, this means achieving a historic peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia.”

Prior to Hamas’ October 7 attack, Israel and Saudi Arabia had been secretly discussing establishing normal diplomatic relations.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman – also known as MBS – reiterated earlier this month that the Kingdom will not forge diplomatic ties with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is established with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected the idea of any Palestinian state.

Peace with Saudi Arabia, he said on Friday “would be a true pivot of history.”

“It would usher in a historic reconciliation between the Arab world and Israel, between Islam and Judaism, between Mecca and Jerusalem.”