Israeli Ambassador Aharoni Tells Newsmax: Domestic Approval is Key for Peace Deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will face more difficulties domestically rather than with the Palestinians while working towards an agreement being brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia for the normalization of relations, according to Israeli Ambassador Ido Aharoni. Aharoni made these comments after Netanyahu’s speech to the United Nations, in an interview with Newsmax.

“The Palestinians are not in a position to derail talks between the United States and Saudi Arabia,” Aharoni stated on Newsmax’s “National Report.” He also mentioned that they had ruled themselves out by declining compromises offered to them by Clinton and the George W. Bush administration in 2008.

Instead, the focus is on whether Netanyahu’s current coalition will support and endorse the normalization deal, as the government is not involved in the negotiations, Aharoni added.

Furthermore, conservative members of Israel’s parliament have already announced their opposition to any concessions regarding the Palestinians, even if they are symbolic. Another significant issue on the table is whether Israel will support Saudi Arabia’s desire to have a nuclear reactor.

During his speech at the UN, Netanyahu expressed his belief that “we are at the cusp” of a “historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia.” He also stated that, just as they achieved the Abraham Accords under President Trump’s leadership, he believes they can achieve peace with Saudi Arabia under President Biden’s leadership.

Aharoni emphasized that peace with Saudi Arabia would be a major event in the history of the Zionist movement, Israel-Arab conflicts, and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts. He also noted that the Arabs have never genuinely accepted Israel’s right to exist.

Netanyahu also mentioned the importance of not giving the Palestinians the power of veto over new peace treaties with other Arab states. Aharoni disagreed with the notion that Abbas’ rhetoric is the reason for the lack of peace, stating that the Palestinians’ policy mistakes are to blame. He suggested that if the Palestinians were more pragmatic and willing to accept compromises, there could be progress towards peace.

In addition to discussing peace efforts, Netanyahu spoke about the threat posed by Iran to the security of the Middle East. Aharoni emphasized that Iran is not just a problem for Israel, but for the entire international community. He called for the international community to address the threat posed by Iran’s motivations and what they stand for.