Arab News

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday strongly condemned statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in support of a so-called “Greater Israel.”

In an interview with i24 News on Tuesday, Netanyahu said he is “very attached” to the vision of a “Greater Israel.”

The term is understood to refer to an expansionist concept of Israeli territory that includes East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza, the Sinai Peninsula, the Golan Heights and parts of other neighboring Arab countries.

The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said it completely rejected the “settlement and expansionist ideas and projects” adopted by Israeli authorities.

The ministry also said the Palestinian people had a historical and legal right to establish an independent, sovereign state on their lands, based on relevant international laws.

“The Kingdom warns the international community against the Israeli occupation’s persistence in flagrant violations that undermine the foundations of international legitimacy, blatantly violate the sovereignty of states, and threaten regional and global security and peace,” the ministry said.

The Israeli military said on Wednesday that it had approved the framework for a new offensive in the Gaza Strip.

The approved plan for the expanded offensive comes days after Israel’s security cabinet called for the capture of the Palestinian territory’s largest city. Israel’s 22-month war on Gaza has killed more than 61,000 people and created dire humanitarian conditions.