Israeli PM defends Saudi over Khashoggi’s murder

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned against destabilizing Saudi Arabia over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, according to a statement issued by his office.

"What happened in Istanbul is nothing short of horrific. But it’s balanced by the importance of Saudi Arabia and the role it plays in the Middle East," Netanyahu told reporters in response to a question about Khashoggi’s murder inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October.

"Because if Saudi Arabia would be destabilized, the world, not the Middle East, will be destabilized," Netanyahu said.

Saudi Arabia initially denied any role in Khashoggi's disappearance when he went missing after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.

After producing various contradictory explanations, Riyadh acknowledged he was killed inside the diplomatic building, blaming the act on a botched rendition operation.

Israel and Saudi Arabia don’t have diplomatic relations.