A coalition of 31 Arab and Islamic countries, along with the Arab League, has strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s statements regarding his vision for a “Greater Israel”.
Netanyahu’s comments, made in an interview with Israeli channel i24NEWS, have sparked widespread criticism and concern.
When asked if he subscribed to the “Greater Israel” vision, Netanyahu replied, “Absolutely”. He further emphasized his connection to this vision, stating, “Very much”.
The “Greater Israel” concept is understood to refer to an expansionist vision that lays claim to the occupied West Bank, Gaza, parts of Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Jordan.
The joint statement by the Arab and Islamic countries expressed grave concern over Netanyahu’s remarks, describing them as a “grave disregard for, and a blatant and dangerous violation of, the rules of international law and the foundations of stable international relations”.
They also constitute a direct threat to Arab national security, sovereignty of states, and regional and international peace and security.
The signatories of the statement included the secretaries-general of the League of Arab States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
They condemned Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s announcement to push ahead with settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, describing it as “a blatant violation of international law and a flagrant assault on the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to realise their independent, sovereign state”.
Smotrich’s plan to approve thousands of housing units in a long-delayed illegal settlement project in the West Bank has been widely criticized.
The statement added that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territory. This move is seen as an attempt to “bury the idea of a Palestinian state”, further complicating the already tense situation.
The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling on Israel to end its illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories within 12 months.
The resolution backed an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice, which found that Israel’s presence in the Palestinian territories is unlawful and must end.
The controversy surrounding Netanyahu’s remarks comes amid Israel’s devastating 22-month war on Gaza, which has killed at least 61,827 people and wounded 155,275 individuals in the enclave.
The international community has expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, with many calling for a ceasefire and unconditional access to humanitarian aid.
Netanyahu’s recent comments on allowing Palestinians to “leave” Gaza have sparked fears of forced displacement and ethnic cleansing.
Campaigners argue that this rhetoric is a euphemism for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza, home to 2.1 million people, most of whom are refugees and their descendants from the 1948 Nakba.
The Arab and Islamic countries have reiterated their rejection and condemnation of Israel’s crimes of aggression, genocide, and ethnic cleansing in Gaza.
They have highlighted the need for a ceasefire in the enclave while ensuring unconditional access to humanitarian aid to halt the systematic starvation policy used by Israel as a weapon of genocide.
The international community is urged to pressure Israel to halt its aggression and fully withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
The statement reaffirmed the complete and absolute rejection of the displacement of the Palestinian people in any form and under any pretext.