A snap shot of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking during an interview.
The Arab League said the remarks constituted “a violation of the sovereignty of Arab states and an attempt to undermine security and stability in the region”. They represented “a serious threat to collective Arab national security and a blatant challenge to international law and the principles of international legitimacy," reflecting “expansionist and aggressive intentions that cannot be accepted or tolerated."
The Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) described Netanyahu’s comments as “an extension of the rhetoric of extremism, incitement, aggression, and disregard for the sovereignty of states” and “a blatant violation of the principles of international law, the UN Charter, and its relevant resolutions”.
The OIC warned of “the dangers of this colonial, expansionist rhetoric, which poses a threat to regional and international peace and security, fuels the cycle of violence, and prolongs and expands the conflict in the region."
In an interview with the Israeli broadcaster i24NEWS on Tuesday, Netanyahu was asked if he subscribed to a “vision” of a Greater Israel. “Absolutely,” he replied. “If you ask me what I think, we’re there.” He went on to refer to Israel’s founding and the “great mission” of ensuring its continued existence.
Saudi Arabia voiced “its total rejection of the ideas and plans for colonisation and expansion adopted by the Israeli occupation authorities," reaffirming “the historical and legal right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state."
The Palestinian Authority said the remarks were “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," reiterating its demand for a state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Jordan called Netanyahu’s comments a “dangerous and provocative escalation” and “a threat to the sovereignty of states”. Its foreign ministry spokesman rejected what he termed the prime minister’s “inflammatory” rhetoric and “delusional claims”.
Iraq’s foreign ministry said the remarks revealed “expansionist ambitions” and were “a clear provocation to the sovereignty of countries”.
Yemen described them as “a blatant violation of international legitimacy resolutions and international law, and a clear challenge to the will of the international community," warning they would push the region “toward further tension and instability."
Qatar labelled Netanyahu’s comments “absurd” and “inflammatory”.
Egypt slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s expansionist rhetoric in the media of the so-called “Greater Israel” vision as threatening regional peace, fueling instability, and violating the sovereignty of Arab states and demanded official clarification from Israel.
Netanyahu's remarks come as his cabinet forges ahead with plans to occupy Gaza City and the rest of the strip.
They also come after the Knesset approved a motion to annexe the West Bank.
In the same interview, Netanyahu repeated calls to “allow” Palestinians to leave Gaza, using an Israeli euphemism for the ethnic cleansing of the strip’s Palestinian population.
“We are not pushing them out, but we are allowing them to leave,” he said, 22 months into Israel’s genocidal bombing campaign that has decimated Gaza and rendered it uninhabitable.
Israel now occupies parts of southern Lebanon in addition to the Golan Heights in Syria.
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