In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent endorsement of a "Greater Israel" vision has drawn fierce condemnation from across the Arab and Islamic world, ignited debate in Europe, and intensified scrutiny from international legal bodies. The controversial stance, which Netanyahu has described as a "historic and spiritual mission," envisions Israel’s borders expanding to encompass the occupied West Bank and parts of neighboring countries, including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt—a move that has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles and reignited fears of further conflict in an already volatile region.
On August 15, 2025, the foreign ministers of 31 Arab and Islamic countries, joined by the secretaries-general of the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), issued a rare joint statement that left little room for ambiguity. According to The Express Tribune, the statement denounced Netanyahu’s remarks as “a grave disregard for, and a blatant and dangerous violation of the rules of international law and the foundations of stable international relations.” The ministers warned that such rhetoric posed “a direct threat to Arab national security, to the sovereignty of states, and to regional and international peace and security.”
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry echoed the sentiment, describing Netanyahu’s comments as “a gross disregard and a blatant and dangerous violation of the rules of international law and the foundations of stable international relations.” The condemnation was swift and unified, with the hashtag #MOFAQatar trending across social media as governments in the region called for urgent international action.
The timing of Netanyahu’s statements could hardly be more fraught. The war in Gaza, now in its 21st month, has left a staggering human toll. According to Gazan health authorities cited by Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye, more than 61,776 Palestinians have been killed and 154,906 wounded, with women and children making up the majority of casualties. On August 15 alone, at least ten Palestinians, including four children, were killed by Israeli strikes in Nuseirat, as reported by Al-Awda Hospital.
The humanitarian crisis has deepened as aid convoys and distribution sites have come under attack. The United Nations Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OHCHR) documented 11 incidents since the start of August where Palestinians guarding or seeking aid were killed, resulting in at least 46 deaths. Between May 27 and August 13, OHCHR reported at least 1,760 deaths among those trying to obtain aid, including 994 near distribution sites run by the embattled Gaza Humanitarian Fund.
International legal pressure on Israel and its leadership is mounting. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), brought by South Africa, which in 2024 ruled Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza illegal and warned of breaches of the genocide convention. Yet, as noted by Middle East Eye, Israel’s government has largely flouted these rulings, with far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich—both sanctioned by the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway—pushing for further settlement expansion.
Prosecutors at the ICC have reportedly prepared arrest warrant applications for Ben-Gvir and Smotrich on charges of apartheid, though these have yet to be submitted. The delay, according to Middle East Eye, is due in part to the leave of Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan amid sexual misconduct allegations (which he denies) and mounting pressure from the United States. The U.S. imposed sanctions on Khan and four ICC judges after Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January, aiming to deter further legal action against Israeli officials.
The American response has been uncompromising. U.S. Senator Tom Cotton even invoked the so-called “Hague Invasion Act,” threatening military action against the ICC for pursuing warrants against Israeli leaders. "The ICC is a kangaroo court and Karim Khan is a deranged fanatic. Woe to him and anyone who tries to enforce these outlaw warrants," Cotton wrote on X (formerly Twitter), underscoring the lengths to which Washington might go to shield its ally.
Netanyahu’s rhetoric has also drawn sharp rebuke from European leaders. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, in an August 16 interview with Jyllands-Posten, didn’t mince words: "Netanyahu himself is a problem now," she said, arguing that Israel would be better off without him. Frederiksen criticized the Israeli government for "going too far" in Gaza, citing not just the military offensive but also settler violence and expansion in the West Bank, which she said was backed by Netanyahu and obstructed peace efforts. She pointed to Denmark’s historic support for Israel but insisted, “We have a huge political problem with a very, very right-wing government in Israel, which, in my opinion, is currently working against Israel’s interests as well.”
Frederiksen signaled that Denmark, using its role as EU Council president, may push for sanctions—not just on individual ministers or settlers, but potentially against Israel as a whole, including trade and research collaboration. “We do not rule anything out in advance. Like with Russia, we structure sanctions to target where they will be most effective. We are one of the countries that will apply additional pressure on Israel, but we have not yet gained support from the EU member states.”
She also called for an immediate increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, decrying any attempts to block such assistance as “completely unacceptable.” However, Frederiksen stopped short of supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state while Hamas remains in control of large parts of Gaza, emphasizing the need for mutual recognition between Israel and a future Palestinian state.
The ideological underpinnings of Netanyahu’s “Greater Israel” vision have alarmed analysts. In a detailed analysis published by Tehran Times on August 16, the vision was compared to ISIS’s ambition for an Islamic caliphate. The article described Netanyahu’s vision as a “historic and spiritual mission” and noted that Israeli extremists, emboldened by a lack of international sanctions and continued Western support, are eyeing territory even in countries that have signed peace treaties with Israel, such as Jordan and Egypt.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a key proponent of the “Greater Israel” ideology, was filmed last year advocating for Israeli expansion to Damascus and beyond, suggesting a drive to encompass not only all Palestinian territories but also parts of Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. “It is written that the future of Jerusalem is to expand to Damascus,” Smotrich declared, invoking the controversial ideology.
As the region stands on edge, the international community faces a stark choice: acquiesce to the expansionist ambitions of Israel’s far-right leadership, or take decisive action to uphold international law and protect the rights and security of neighboring states and the Palestinian people. With the United Nations Security Council under mounting pressure to respond, the coming weeks may prove pivotal for the future of the Middle East—and for the global order itself.
The escalating rhetoric, mounting casualties, and deepening humanitarian crisis ensure that the world’s eyes remain fixed on the region, with the stakes higher than ever for peace, justice, and stability.
