Pakistan condemns Netanyahu's remarks regarding 'Greater Israel' plan

ISLAMABAD

Pakistan on Friday strongly condemned and rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks, stating that he is committed to the vision of a "Greater Israel" and outlining plans for the forcible displacement of Palestinians in Gaza.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the comments reflect the occupying power's intention to keep its illegal occupation and demonstrate complete disregard for international efforts to achieve lasting stability and peace in the region.

"Pakistan calls on the international community to outrightly reject such provocative notions that constitute a flagrant violation of international law, principles of the UN Charter, as well as the relevant United Nations resolutions," the statement said.

Islamabad urged the international community to take immediate and concrete steps to prevent Israel from further destabilizing the region and to end its ongoing "crimes and atrocities" against Palestinians.

"Pakistan reaffirms its full support for the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights, including the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital," it added.

Netanyahu told news channel i24 on Tuesday that he feels “very attached” to the vision of a Greater Israel. He said he considers himself “on a historic and spiritual mission” for “generations of Jews that dreamt of coming here and generations of Jews who will come after us.”

Greater Israel is a term used in Israeli politics to refer to the expansion of Israel’s territory to include the West Bank, Gaza, and Syria’s Golan Heights, with some interpretations also including Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and parts of Jordan.

Last week, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to fully occupy Gaza City, drawing a sharp backlash from governments and human rights bodies.

Israel has been facing mounting outrage over its deadly war in Gaza, where it has killed more than 61,700 people since October 2023.