Arab countries have expressed anger over the Israeli government’s publication of a map of “Greater Israel” claiming the territories of Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. They described the move as a clear assault on the sovereignty of these countries and a violation of international law.
The map of Greater Israel was published on January 6 on the Arabic-language X account of Israel’s Foreign Ministry. In addition to Palestine, the country also claims some territories in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Palestine, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar expressed outrage and condemnation over the map’s publication, Arab News and Anadolu Agency reported. The Arab League also issued a statement condemning the incident.
Saudi Arabia rejected the Greater Israel map in a statement on Wednesday, saying that such extremist claims highlight the strengthening of Israel’s occupation, continuing to attack the sovereignty of these countries and violations of international norms.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry reiterated its call on the international community to play its role in stopping Israel’s illegal actions against these countries and their peoples. At the same time, it stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty and borders of countries to rein in the growing crisis in the region.
Qatar’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the publication of the map “undermines the opportunity for peace in the region, especially given the brutal war in the Palestinian Gaza Strip.”
Earlier in March 2023, far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smótrich spoke at an event in Paris, France, standing next to the map of Greater Israel. In addition, the country’s far-right ministers have been talking about formally annexing the occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank to Israel.