Netanyahu Calls Israel Raya, Arab State Values State Sovereignty Threats

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (GPO/Amos Ben Gershom)

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks regarding his ties to the vision of "Israel Raya" drew criticism from Arab countries, calling it a threat to sovereignty.

In an interview with i24 PM Netanyahu said he was bound by Israel Raya's vision when interviewer Sharon Gal showed a map described as "Promising Land".

"Very much," Prime Minister Netanyahu said when asked about whether he felt connected to Israel's vision, saying he was carrying out a "historic and spiritual mission," quoted from The Times of Israel Aug. 14.

Gal asked Israel Raya, following his statement about whether PM Netanyahu was carrying out a mission on behalf of a Jewish citizen.

PM Netanyahu said he was carrying out a mission to bring "the Jewish generation that dreams of coming here and the generations of Jews that will come after us."

Israel Raya is a term used in Israeli politics to refer to the expansion of Israeli territory that includes the West Bank, Gaza and the Golan Heights in Syria, with several interpretations also covering the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt and parts of Jordan.

In a statement, Egypt asked for clarification on the comments, as "the comments sparked instability and showed resistance to peace in the region," Anadolu said.

The comments "contrary to the aspirations of regional and international parties who respect peace and seek security and peace for all people in the region," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

"The only way to peace is through the return of negotiations and the end of the war in Gaza, which leads to the formation of a Palestinian state," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Jordan's Foreign Ministry called Netanyahu's comments "dangerous and provocative escalation, a threat to state sovereignty, violations of international law and UN Charter."

"This heinous claim, reflected in statements by Israeli officials, will not affect Jordan and Arab countries and will not reduce the legitimate and inevitable rights of the Palestinian people," he added in a statement.

"The claims and moderates adopted and promoted by the extremists of the Israeli government are pushing for a continuing cycle of violence and conflict in Gaza and the West Bank," the ministry said.

Jordan called on the international community to take immediate action to stop "Israel's provocative actions and statements that threaten regional stability as well as international peace and security."

The Palestinian Authority called Netanyahu's comments "appropriation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people" and "provocation and dangerous escalation that threatens regional security and stability."

The Palestinian Authority reaffirms its commitment to international principles regarding the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Separately, Qatar's Foreign Ministry denounced the statement as "an extension of the occupation approach (Israel) based on arrogance, sparking crisis and conflict, as well as blatantly violating the sovereignty of the state and international law."

The ministry affirms Qatar's full support for "all efforts aimed at achieving fair, comprehensive, and sustainable peace in the region."

Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the "expansionist idea and project" promoted by Israeli officials and reiterated "the historical rights and laws of the Palestinian people to establish an independent and sovereign state on their soil."

In a statement, the Arab League denounced "Israel's aggressive trend and expansionist", calling it a "serious threat to Arab collective national security."