Tel Aviv, Oct. 23 -- Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has issued an apology to Saudi Arabia after his remarks about the Kingdom's stance on the Palestinian issue drew widespread criticism.

Speaking at a conference organised by the Zomet Institute and Makor Rishon newspaper on Thursday, October 23, Smotrich rejected Riyadh's condition that normalisation with Israel must include the establishment of a Palestinian state.

He said, "If Saudi Arabia tells us 'normalisation in exchange for a Palestinian state,' friends - no thank you. Keep riding camels in the desert in Saudi Arabia, and we will continue to develop our economy, society, and state."

The comments were widely criticised across Israel's political spectrum. Opposition le...