Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again reiterated his staunch opposition to a Palestinian state, saying Israel would not shift on the issue even to secure normalisation with Saudi Arabia. Asked about the prospect during an interview with Israeli news outlet Abu Ali Express, Netanyahu said: “There will be no Palestinian state. As simple as that …
It’s an existential threat to Israel.” However, the Israeli leader said he still has “cautious optimism” about potential Saudi normalisation, which he claims was set back by the Gaza war. “It’s possible that the conditions could come to be, but the conditions would have to be acceptable to both sides, good for both sides,” he said. “If it comes together, great, and if not, we’ll protect our vital interests.”