Netanyahu seeking Saudi Arabia, Indonesia normalization accords to boost re-election: Report
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hoping to conclude normalization agreements with Saudi Arabia and Indonesia ahead of the legislative elections, for the Knesset, currently scheduled for November 2 next year.
Hebrew-language media outlets reported that the 75-year-old chairman of the right-wing Likud party aims to strengthen his position ahead of the polls.
According to the public broadcaster KAN, the chances of reaching an agreement with Saudi Arabia are “reasonable,” while the likelihood of a similar deal with Indonesia remains “weak.”
Nevertheless, Netanyahu is seeking at least one diplomatic achievement that would allow him to enter the elections with positive political momentum, the report added.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry announced in February that it would not normalize diplomatic relations with Israel without the establishment of an independent sovereign Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital, amid growing outrage over Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasizes that this unwavering position is non-negotiable and not subject to compromises,” the statement read.
The Yedioth Ahronoth daily newspaper asserted in 2024 that Indonesia is reportedly considering ties with Israel if Tel Aviv drops its opposition to Jakarta’s joining of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) – a forum founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade.
Earlier this year, Israel’s Channel 12 claimed that Indonesia was among several nations in talks with Israel regarding facilitating the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza.
Israeli media outlets, including Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) news agency, The Times of Israel online newspaper, i24NEWS news television channel, and Channel 12, reported earlier this week that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will visit the occupied territories on October 14 and 15, following a summit in the Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh on the Gaza ceasefire deal.
The Indonesian government quickly denied the reports.
“It’s not true. According to the initial plan, the President will return home after the event in Egypt is completed,” Foreign Minister Sugiono, who goes by a single name, said in a written statement on Monday.
The speculation was fueled by Hananya Naftali, a close associate of Netanyahu, who posted about Prabowo’s alleged plan to visit the occupied territories.
For decades, Indonesia has been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause.
In the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, both the public and government authorities view Palestinian statehood as a constitutional mandate, given the country’s commitment to abolishing colonialism.
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