Arab, Islamic States Condemn Netanyahu’s “Greater Israel” Remarks, Settlement Expansion Plans

The foreign ministers of 31 Arab and Islamic countries, along with the secretaries-general of the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Gulf Cooperation Council, on Friday strongly condemned recent statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the so-called “Greater Israel,” calling them a grave violation of international law and a direct threat to regional peace and security.

In a joint statement, the officials said Netanyahu’s remarks — as reported by Israeli media — demonstrate “a blatant and dangerous disregard” for the principles of stable international relations. They reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to the U.N. Charter, particularly the prohibition against the use or threat of force, and pledged to adopt “all policies and measures” necessary to safeguard peace, stability, and development.

The ministers also denounced the approval by Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of a contentious settlement plan in the “E1” area, as well as his “radical racist statements” rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state. They described the move as a “flagrant violation” of international law and an assault on the Palestinian people’s right to an independent, sovereign state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The statement underscored that Israel has “no sovereignty” over the Occupied Palestinian Territories and warned that unilateral actions undermine prospects for peace in the region.