Riyadh/Cairo/Ankara, August 16, 2025 — Foreign ministers and leaders of 31 Arab and Islamic nations have issued an unanimous condemnation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent statements supporting a Greater Israel.
A United Diplomatic Front In an impactful joint statement issued by a coalition of nations, they strongly condemned Netanyahu’s statements as an unlawful violation of international law and called them directly threats to Arab national security, state sovereignty and regional peace. Furthermore, this was seen as “a grave disregard for the foundations of stable international relationships.” The Times of India (+7) + Turkiye Today [+7]
Signatories to the document included foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, UAE, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia Morocco Qatar Palestine. In addition, support was voiced from secretaries-general of Arab League OIC GCC
Expansionist Claims To Induce Backlash
Benjamin Netanyahu recently stated during an interview on i24News that he remains very attached to the idea of creating a Greater Israel, an idea often used as shorthand for biblical borders that included parts of Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, and Syria. BERNAMA | The Guardian | Ahram Online.
Arab and Islamic leaders have condemned such rhetoric as expansionist and provocative, saying it violates multiple tenets of international law, such as UN resolutions against changing borders with force. The Express Tribune +5 IMEMC News +5 Arab News
Regional Implications
Beyond legal transgressions, the statement warned of the destabilizing effects of such rhetoric – such as expansion in occupied territories, threats against holy sites, and incursions into Palestinian communities – which escalate conflict and reduce chances for peace. Officials pointed out how such actions exacerbate tension and put at risk prospects for peace negotiations. For more on this story please read Daily Sabah/BERNAMA report (June 14, 2009) from their archives (Page 331).
+15 The ministers strongly condemned recent Israeli policies and settlement plans – particularly along the E1 corridor and elsewhere across the West Bank – as racist provocations, rejecting Israeli sovereignty over any part of occupied Palestinian territory.
They made this argument to The Guardian, Daily Sabah and IMEMC News reporters.
Humanitarian and Normative Perspective
The joint statement from Arab and Islamic nations reiterated their dedication to peaceful diplomacy and humanitarian access for Gaza, including an immediate ceasefire and lifting of the blockade. Additionally, it strongly condemned any forced displacement or transfer of Palestinians as war crimes and violations of human rights.
This unifying statement comes at a time of increasing concern over Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis, where more civilians continue to be injured as ongoing conflicts continue to be waged against each other. The Guardian and Times of India both report this trend as alarm levels escalate over Gaza.
What Comes Next
Diplomatic Repercussions: This statement may escalate Israel’s diplomatic isolation among Arab and Muslim majority countries.
Normalization Consequences: Countries exploring or contemplating normalization with Israel could now face political complications or public outrage when taking this path.
Peace Prospects: The conflict poses serious threats to any dialogue path which disregards Palestinian sovereignty or undermines the two-state framework.
Overall, Netanyahu’s statements provoked widespread condemnation and increased regional calls for respect of international law and Palestinian rights. This joint response highlights that aggressive expansionist narratives carry grave repercussions for regional stability on multiple fronts: politically, legally and morally.