31 Arab, Islamic countries, bodies denounce Netanyahu's "Greater Israel" remarks

CAIRO, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-one Arab, Islamic countries, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Gulf Cooperation Council have strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statements about realizing a so-called "Greater Israel" in a joint statement.

The statement, released late Friday, condemned the Israeli prime minister's remarks as "a flagrant breach" of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, affirming the invalidity of any measure or decision seeking to legitimize the occupation, including settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The countries signing the statement include Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

The statement termed the Israeli comments as a direct threat to Arab countries' national security, the sovereignty of states, and regional and international peace and security.

It also strongly condemns the approval by the far-right Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich of the settlement plan in the "E1" area and his radical statements rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state, stressing that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory.

The statement warned against the grave dangers of Israeli intentions and policies aimed at annexing Palestinian territory, and reaffirmed the need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, along with ensuring unconditional humanitarian access.

It also reiterated the rejection of the displacement of the Palestinian people in any form and under any pretext.

Earlier this week, Netanyahu told i24 TV news that he feels he is on a "historic and spiritual mission," and that he is "very" attached to the vision of the "Promised Land and Greater Israel."

On Wednesday, Smotrich said he had approved the construction of 3,401 housing units for settlers in a particularly controversial area of the occupied West Bank. ■