Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attacked Saudi Arabia amid the possibility of normalization, saying that "sovereignty is the litmus test. If Saudi Arabia tells us normalization in exchange for a Palestinian state, then friends, no thank you. Continue riding camels in the Saudi desert." He made these remarks at the Tzomet Institute and "Makor Rishon" conference, against the backdrop of the sovereignty bill passing a preliminary reading in the Knesset, contrary to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's position and despite American pressure. He added: "As far as it depends on me, sovereignty will be applied in Judea and Samaria by the end of this term. American recognition is not a condition for applying sovereignty."