August 15, 2025 | 07:59 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Arab countries' tolerance of Israeli attacks in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories has had far-reaching effects. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ramped-up arrogance has him declaring his commitment to creating a "Greater Israel," as reported by Anadolu.
Speaking to the news channel i24, Netanyahu stated that he is "very attached" to this vision and sees himself on a "historic and spiritual mission," representing past and future Jewish generations who dream of coming to this land.
The concept of Greater Israel refers to the expansion of Israel's territory to include the West Bank, Gaza, the Golan Heights in Syria, the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, and some parts of Jordan. This vision is viewed by Arab countries as a rejection of peace efforts and a destabilizing factor for regional security.
This statement has stirred anger in other Arab countries, which has been summed up below:
Egypt
Egypt demands a clear clarification of these comments, stating that they trigger instability and undermine peace aspirations.
Citing Arab News, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its commitment to peace and stated that "the only path to peace is through a return to negotiations and ending the war on Gaza, leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state."
Jordan
The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Netanyahu's comments regarding his vision of "Greater Israel." The ministry dismissed the statement as a dangerous and provocative escalation that threatens the sovereignty of states, as well as violates international law.
In an official statement, the Ministry emphasized that "these delusional claims, which are reflected in the statements of Israeli officials, will not affect Jordan and the Arab states." Furthermore, the statement noted that this rhetoric and behavior indicate a serious crisis affecting the Israeli government, with its increasing isolation on the global stage.
Palestine
Both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority also condemned Netanyahu's statement. As reported by The New Arab, the Palestinian Authority referred to it as a "disregard of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people" and “a dangerous provocation and escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region."
The Palestinian Authority described the comments as a dangerous escalation that ignores Palestinian rights and jeopardizes regional security. It reaffirmed its commitment to a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Meanwhile, Hamas called on the international community to "take action to rein in his government, halt his brutal war against civilians in Gaza, and confront his ambitions to expand his aggression in response to fascist prophecies and fantasies, which threaten regional and international security."
Yemen
The Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the statement as a blatant violation of international legality and a challenge to the collective international will, warning that Israel's policies increase regional tensions.
Qatar
Qatar criticized the statement as a reflection of arrogance and colonial tactics that exacerbate crises, violate state sovereignty, and breach international law. Doha reaffirmed its support for efforts towards a fair and sustainable peace.
Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the "expansionist ideas and projects" carried out by the Israeli government. The ministry emphasized that the Palestinian people have a legitimate and historical right to form an independent and sovereign state on their own land, as affirmed by applicable international law.
The ministry also warned the global community about the blatant violations committed by the ongoing Israeli occupation, which undermine the principles of international legitimacy, openly violate state sovereignty, and pose a threat to regional and global stability and peace.
Arab League
The Arab League condemned the aggressive expansionism implicit in Netanyahu's vision, labeling it as a major threat to Arab national security. Likewise, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) warned against this colonial rhetoric, emphasizing that it undermines Israel's obligations as an occupying state and poses a significant risk to regional and global peace.
Meanwhile, the ongoing Israeli military operation in Gaza since October 2023 has resulted in the deaths of over 61,700 Palestinian civilians, nearly half of whom are women and children.
In response, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide lawsuit in the International Court relating to its actions in Gaza.
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