Arab world unites with Saudi Arabia in condemning Netanyahu’s ‘Greater Israel’ remarks
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Riyadh: Arab states and regional organizations have joined Saudi Arabia in strongly condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his recent comments endorsing the vision of a so-called “Greater Israel”.
In an interview with i24 News on Tuesday, Netanyahu said he was “very attached” to the idea, widely understood as an expansionist concept that encompasses East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza, the Sinai Peninsula, the Golan Heights, and parts of neighboring Arab countries.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry rejected what it called the “settlement and expansionist ideas and projects” pursued by Israeli authorities. It reaffirmed the Palestinian people’s historical and legal right to establish an independent, sovereign state on their own land, and warned the international community against Israel’s “flagrant violations” that undermine international legitimacy, breach state sovereignty, and threaten regional and global peace.
The Palestinian Authority described Netanyahu’s remarks as a “dangerous provocation” and a clear disregard for Palestinian rights, reiterating its commitment to a state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the statements reflected “the occupation’s arrogance” and its infringement on the sovereignty of other states, while Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said such rhetoric contradicts the region’s aspirations for peace and stability, urging renewed negotiations, an end to the Gaza war, and a two-state solution.
Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the remarks a “dangerous and provocative escalation”, with spokesperson Sufyan Qudah dismissing them as “absurd delusions” that will not undermine Arab nations’ legitimate rights. Yemen also reiterated its support for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and urged the UN Security Council to act against Israeli violations.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi condemned the statements as a violation of the UN Charter and international law, warning they posed a direct threat to regional and global stability. He called on the international community to take a firm stance to prevent actions that could inflame tensions.
The Arab League also denounced Netanyahu’s comments “in the strongest terms”, describing them as a manifestation of “colonial delusions” and a serious threat to Arab sovereignty and security. It urged the UN Security Council to act decisively against such extremist rhetoric.