In a revealing statement, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer declared that a clear military victory in Gaza is essential for advancing normalisation efforts with Saudi Arabia.
Dermer’s remarks came during the annual Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) conference, as reported by the Hebrew newspaper Maariv. He also addressed a variety of geopolitical issues, including Syria, Lebanon, the Abraham Accords, and the ongoing war on Gaza.
Correcting Trump’s Misconception
Dermer recounted an interaction with former U.S. President Donald Trump, claiming that Trump had initially believed that all Israeli captives held by Hamas had been killed. Dermer insisted that he was the one who corrected the record, stating:
“Trump thought they were dead, and I corrected him.”
The anecdote was shared during a discussion involving the family of one of the Israeli captives.
Strategic Control in Syria and Lebanon
Shifting to regional dynamics, Dermer referenced the recent fall of the Syrian regime, suggesting that Damascus was caught off guard by its collapse. He highlighted the Israeli concern over Iranian arms transfers to Syria in the aftermath, indicating that controlling these routes became a strategic priority.
On the northern front with Lebanon, Dermer claimed that he had proposed a ceasefire initiative designed to maintain Israeli control and prevent Hezbollah from regaining military momentum. He stressed that the Zionist entity was committed to enforcing a “new strategic reality” in the region.
Gaza War and the Path to Riyadh
Focusing on the war in Gaza, Dermer expressed confidence that it would end in the coming year with an “unmistakable Israeli victory.” He then made a striking statement:
“Victory is the key to expanding the Abraham Accords and achieving peace with Arab nations — especially Saudi Arabia.”
In one of the most provocative quotes of the speech, he declared:
“In the Middle East, peace doesn’t come from weakness — it comes from victory.The road to Riyadh passes through Rafah.”
This statement implied that full Israeli control over southern Gaza, particularly the city of Rafah, is viewed as a gateway to Saudi-Israeli normalisation.
Undermining the Palestinian Cause
Dermer further commented on societal changes in Saudi Arabia, criticising those who advocate for peace through compromise. He urged observers to study school curricula in Arab nations to understand their “true intentions.”
Regarding Palestinians, Dermer claimed that the October 7 resistance operation was a result of “closed societies lacking justice and human rights.” He added:
“We must teach our children that peace is not built on hatred, and that a resolution with the Palestinians will only begin when a Palestinian girl leaves school without hatred in her heart for Jews.”
A Doctrine of Domination
Dermer concluded his speech by echoing the philosophy of late orientalist Bernard Lewis, stating:
“Real change in the Middle East will only come after decisive victory. Peace follows strength — not the other way around.”
As Gaza bleeds, the occupying power eyes Riyadh. But the Ummah knows: no honourable peace can come through the rubble of Rafah, nor through deals built on the erasure of Palestinian rights. True peace begins with justice — and justice begins with the end of occupation.
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