Cairo warns of Netanyahu’s Expansionist ‘Greater Israel’ Rhetoric

Department of Research, Studies and International News14-08-2025

Egypt has issued a sharp rebuke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his public endorsement of the so-called “Greater Israel” vision, calling the remarks a dangerous provocation that threatens to destabilize an already volatile region. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry formally demanded explanations from Tel Aviv, accusing Netanyahu of rejecting internationally recognized peace frameworks.

The controversy erupted following Netanyahu’s August 12 interview with Israeli broadcaster i24News, in which he embraced a territorial vision encompassing not only occupied Palestinian lands, but also swathes of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and even parts of Egypt. During the interview, former Knesset member Sharon Gal presented Netanyahu with an amulet depicting this expansionist map. Netanyahu declared his deep connection to it, framing his mission as “historic and spiritual.”

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry swiftly condemned the statements, describing them as incompatible with any genuine peace process. In its official statement on Wednesday, Cairo warned that such rhetoric fuels instability and contradicts the spirit of ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the region’s crises. The ministry reiterated Egypt’s commitment to regional peace and security, urging the international community to reject expansionist agendas that undermine the sovereignty of neighboring states.

A Pattern of provocation

Netanyahu’s comments are not an isolated incident. In both 2023 and 2024, he used maps during his United Nations General Assembly speeches that erased Palestine from the map entirely while showcasing inflated Israeli borders. These visual narratives, widely criticized as propaganda, present a vision of unilateral dominance, effectively nullifying the two-state solution backed by international law and numerous UN resolutions.

Critics across the region say such actions are emblematic of a broader ideological strategy rooted in revisionist Zionism, where territorial expansion is framed as both a biblical entitlement and a political imperative.

Undermining mediation in Gaza

Egypt’s frustration is heightened by the fact that it plays a central role in mediating ceasefire agreements in Gaza. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has been actively engaged, alongside Qatar and other partners, in efforts to broker a truce, arrange prisoner exchanges, and de-escalate the Israeli aggression against Gaza.

Cairo stressed that Netanyahu’s expansionist statements directly sabotage these delicate negotiations. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that any path to peace must include an immediate end to the war on Gaza and a return to negotiations that establish an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem (Al-Quds) as its capital.

Regional Backlash

Netanyahu’s latest remarks have provoked condemnation well beyond Egypt.

• Jordan branded the statements as a “dangerous escalation” and a blatant violation of sovereignty and international law.
• Saudi Arabia rejected what it called “expansionist projects” pursued by the occupying power.
• Qatar described the remarks as “arrogant” and warned they would inflame regional tensions.

The Arab League joined the chorus, calling Netanyahu’s rhetoric a threat to Arab national security and a flagrant breach of the UN Charter. The organization underscored that such visions of dominance belong to a colonial mindset that disregards the rights and dignity of indigenous populations.

Roots of the expansionist doctrine

The “Greater Israel” ideology traces back to early 20th-century revisionist Zionism, championed by figures such as Ze’ev Jabotinsky, the ideological forefather of Netanyahu’s Likud party. This vision stretches Israeli claims from the Nile River to the Euphrates River, essentially erasing the borders of multiple sovereign Arab states.

Other Israeli politicians have openly promoted similar ambitions. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, for instance, once displayed in Paris a map incorporating Jordan into “Israel” and proclaimed a future in which “Jerusalem expands to Damascus.” These statements reveal how religious symbolism and extremist interpretations of history continue to drive Israel’s political discourse.

Broader geopolitical context

Netanyahu’s rhetoric also aligns with Washington’s long-standing strategy of enabling Israel’s regional dominance. Despite international outrage, the United States has consistently shielded Israel from accountability in global forums, vetoing resolutions at the UN and providing unconditional military and financial support. For many in West Asia and beyond, including Russia, China, and India, such policies expose the hypocrisy of Western powers that claim to uphold international law while enabling its violation.

Beijing and Moscow have repeatedly emphasized that peace in West Asia can only come through respect for state sovereignty, adherence to UN resolutions, and the recognition of Palestinian rights. India, while maintaining diplomatic ties with multiple actors in the region, has likewise underscored the importance of negotiated settlements based on justice and equality rather than unilateral force.

Egypt’s warning to the international community

In closing its statement, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry called on the global community to act decisively against expansionist agendas that jeopardize stability. Cairo urged all parties to reject rhetoric that could inflame conflicts and derail fragile diplomatic processes.

As tensions rise, the incident underscores the widening rift between Israel’s expansionist policies and the broader regional demand for a just and lasting peace. For Egypt and much of the Global South, Netanyahu’s words are not mere political posturing, they are a dangerous signal of intentions that, if left unchecked, could plunge the region into deeper turmoil.