Israel’s ‘Greater Israel’ map sparks outage across Middle East

TEL AVIV: Israel’s publication of a map asserting claims over parts of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Egypt as part of a ‘Greater Israel’ sparked widespread anger and condemnation from Palestinian and other leaders across the Middle East.

The map was shared on the Israel government’s Arabic-language Instagram account. It depicts significant portions of occupied Palestinian territories and neighbouring Arab lands as part of Israel.

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This resulted in immediate backlash, with Jordan’s foreign ministry condemning the map “in the strongest of terms”. The Jordanian foreign ministry labelled the map as “provocative and baseless”, describing it as a fabrication promoted by Israel’s right-wing factions to undermine the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Similarly, Qatar’s foreign ministry criticised the map by calling it a “flagrant violation” of international norms. They warned that Israel’s apparent territorial ambitions could further obstruct peace efforts in the region.

Qatar called on the global community to fulfill its “legal and moral” responsibilities by pressurising the occupying forces to comply with international norms and stop its expansionist policies.

Meanwhile, several Palestinian officials, including the spokesperson for President Mahmood Abbas, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, denounced the map. Rudeineh called it a “blatant violation” of international law.

The spokesperson called for “urgent” international action to halt the genocide and destruction faced by Palestinians in the occupied lands.

The Arab League echoed Rudeineh’s words, with its Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit warning that such provocation risk encouraging extremism.  

Hamas, that currently rules Gaza, also rejected calls for annexation of the territories depicted on the map. The group declared it as a confirmation of Israel’s aggressive and expansionist nature.

Hamas called for a unified response from the Arab and Muslim governments to confront Israel’s immoral ambitions and stop Israel’s inhumane actions against Palestinians.

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The map’s release coincides with statements from far-right Israeli officials advocating for the annexation of the occupied West Bank and the expansion of settlements in Gaza.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has publicly declared intentions to apply sovereignty over the territories.