Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's words in support of a Greater Israel are “a blatant and dangerous violation of the rules of international law and the foundations of stable international relations,” the foreign ministers of 31 Arab and Islamic nations — including our own — alongside the heads of the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Gulf Cooperation Council said in a joint statement.

IN CONTEXT- The joint statement follows Netanyahu's comments last Tuesday where he told Israeli broadcaster i24 that he “very much” feels a connection with the vision of Greater Israel — an expansionist idea of Israel that includes parts of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.

The joint statement also condemned the West Bank settlement plan, which Israeli Finance Minister Bezalal Smotrich says will “bury the idea of a Palestinian state” by cutting off occupied East Jerusalem.

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Palestine also topped the agenda of Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty’s calls with his European counterparts over the weekend, speaking with French FM Jean-Noël Barrot, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and German FM Johann Wadephul to coordinate efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire and increase humanitarian access, according to statements. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s rejection of settlement expansion and occupation entrenchment, while praising France and the UK’s intention to recognize Palestine as a state, urging a broader recognition drive at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September.

Abdelatty also spoke with EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to discuss Gaza developments and reiterate Egypt’s stance on the subject. He urged the EU to intensify pressure for a ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access, stressing that settlement expansion violates international law and fuels instability.

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