Jordan’s foreign ministry called the remarks a “dangerous and provocative escalation” and “a threat to the sovereignty of states”.
Several Arab countries have strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over comments appearing to endorse an expanded “Greater Israel”, warning they pose a threat to regional sovereignty.
Asked by i24NEWS on Tuesday if he supported the “vision” of a Greater Israel — encompassing Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and parts of Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria — Netanyahu replied, “Absolutely… we’re there,” before citing Israel’s “great mission” of survival.
Jordan’s foreign ministry called the remarks a “dangerous and provocative escalation” and “a threat to the sovereignty of states”. Egypt requested clarification, describing the comments as a “rejection of the option of peace”. Iraq denounced them as proof of “expansionist ambitions”, while mediator Qatar labelled them “absurd” and “inflammatory”.
Saudi Arabia reiterated its “total rejection of… colonisation and expansion” and reaffirmed Palestinian rights to an independent state.
The controversy comes amid Israel’s 22-month war with Hamas, a surge in West Bank settlements, and cabinet calls to annex Gaza.
Netanyahu also renewed proposals to “allow” Palestinians to leave Gaza — a stance critics see as displacement.