Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reference to being on a “historic and spiritual mission” tied to the vision of a “Greater Israel” has drawn anger across the Arab world and sparked sharp criticism on social media, with analysts saying it was aimed at rallying his domestic base.
Speaking to Israeli broadcaster i24, Netanyahu described the “Israeli dream” as a “mission of generations” passed down over time. “I feel I am on a spiritual and historic mission for the Jewish people,” he said, according to The Times of Israel.
During the interview, former right-wing lawmaker Sharon Gal presented Netanyahu with an amulet engraved with a map of “Greater Israel.” Joking about Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial, Gal said: “I’m not giving it to you, so you won’t get in trouble. It’s a gift for your wife, Sara.”
When asked whether he felt a connection with the “Greater Israel” vision, Netanyahu replied: “Very much.” The gift was not shown on screen, according to a clip Netanyahu posted on X.
The term “Greater Israel” has been used since Israel’s victory in the 1967 Six-Day War to describe Israel along with East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza, Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and Syria’s Golan Heights.
Asharq Al-Awsat sought official comment from Egypt but received no response.
Social media users warned of Israel’s expansionist ambitions, while Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti questioned Arab governments’ silence.
Egyptian media figure Nashaat al-Daihi called Netanyahu’s remarks “political suicide,” while Egyptian security expert Maj. Gen. Mohamed Abdel Wahed described them as “the boldest ever,” reflecting “a strategic ambition to reshape the Middle East and expand Israeli influence.”
The comments also stirred anger because of claims on social media that Egypt and Jordan were named as part of “Greater Israel” – although Netanyahu did not mention any countries in the interview.
Egyptian commentator Louay al-Khatib said Netanyahu’s extremism was “beyond dispute” but denied the prime minister had explicitly included Egypt.
Egyptian MP Mostafa Bakry called the remarks “dangerous” and a revelation of Israel’s “real plan to target the whole region.” Former Egyptian deputy foreign minister Rakha Ahmed Hassan said the statement was “serious and demands a serious response,” accusing Netanyahu of seeking to redraw the Middle East map “under an American umbrella.”
Netanyahu has previously signaled ambitions to reshape the region. At the UN General Assembly in September 2023, he held up a Middle East map that omitted the West Bank and Gaza. He repeated the gesture last year, calling one map “paradise” and the other “hell.”
Jordanian analyst Abdel Hakim al-Qarala said Netanyahu’s latest comments reflect “the true face of the Israeli far right” and are intended to appeal to those who believe in the “Greater Israel” dream. Egyptian strategist Khaled Okasha said Netanyahu aimed to frame the Gaza war as part of Israel’s founding mission, strengthening his standing both at home and with the United States.
The Arab League’s statement on Netanyahu’s comments called them a “blatant violation of the sovereignty of Arab states and an attempt to undermine security and stability in the region.”
The remarks, it added, “reflect expansionist and aggressive intentions that cannot be accepted or tolerated” and also “expose a mentality steeped in colonial delusions.”
