From the Liveblog of
Monday, June 23, 2025
Netanyahu says he’ll be able to secure Saudi normalization without a Palestinian state
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Israel is “very close to achieving its two goals” against Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells the friendly Channel 14, beginning with “removing the nuclear and ballistic missile threat.”
Netanyahu says he is constantly reviewing whether the conditions are in place to end the war with Iran.
“There was a very serious strike” on the Fordo nuclear facility and “we are completing what we need to complete,” Netanyahu says.
Netanyahu stresses that he and US President Donald Trump were aware beforehand of the operations both countries carried out against Iran.
“I didn’t surprise him. He was fully updated on our action. And he didn’t surprise me. I was fully updated on his action,” Netanyahu says.
Netanyahu says he will figure out a way to make peace with Saudi Arabia without agreeing to a Palestinian state. Riyadh has repeatedly insisted that it will not agree to normalize ties with Israel absent the creation of a pathway for a two-state solution.
“I think our strength is the key to everything,” he explains, adding that he speaks with Arab leaders, and that is what leaves an impression on them.
The Times of Israel Community.