In response to criticism from Saudi Prince Turki Al-Faisal in an interview with Channel 13 , Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu said that:
" Israel is normalizing relations with the Gulf states even without progress toward the Palestinians. "I have never said that I will achieve peace treaties with the Arab states before we resolve the Palestinian issue, but there is gradual externalization of relations between the Gulf states and Israel even when there is no progress with the Palestinians. Those who are not happy with this are Abu Mazen and the Iranians. We can move forward with the Gulf states in terms of normalization, such as flights to the East, such as the process of preparing public opinion for rapprochement with Israel and promoting trade."