Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly working to sign diplomatic normalization agreements with Saudi Arabia and Indonesia as a political strategy ahead of early elections expected to be held in June 2026.
According to a report by Israeli public broadcaster KAN, Netanyahu wants to finalize at least one agreement with the two major countries of the Islamic world to strengthen his position on the international stage before Israelis return to the ballot box.
Diplomatic sources quoted by i24 News informed that Netanyahu assessed the chances of reaching an agreement with Riyadh as reasonable, while the possibility of success with Jakarta was seen as quite difficult.
However, he is said to be satisfied if he can seal an agreement with either of the two.
Analysts believe that Netanyahu's move is not just an effort to strengthen his political position in the country, but also aims to restore Israel's image in the eyes of the world and showcase the success of his foreign policy ahead of the elections.
Saudi Arabia plays an important role in the Islamic world as the guardian of the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina, in addition to its position as the largest economic power in the region.
Meanwhile, Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, is considered a new strategic economic power and has the potential to open new diplomatic and trade spaces for Israel.
However, the Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry previously stressed that any form of normalization of relations with Israel will not occur as long as an independent Palestinian state has not been established.
On the other hand, Indonesia also maintains a firm stance that any diplomatic relations with Israel will only be considered if the rights and sovereignty of the Palestinian people are fully recognized.
Although Netanyahu's efforts are seen as a bold move amid geopolitical tensions, many analysts expect the normalization process with the two major Muslim countries to face a difficult road.
