SRINAGAR: Gulf countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia, have issued strong condemnations over the publication of a controversial Israeli map that claims “historical territorial rights” over Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The map shared on official Israeli social media accounts, has drawn sharp rebukes for its perceived violation of international law and its potential to inflame regional tensions.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry described the map as a “flagrant violation of international legitimacy resolutions and international law,” warning that such actions jeopardise peace prospects in a region already grappling with conflict, particularly in Gaza. It called on the international community to pressure Israel to abandon what it termed “expansionist ambitions” and adhere to legal norms.
The UAE’s Foreign Ministry echoed similar sentiments, criticising the map as “a deliberate effort to expand the occupation” and “a blatant contravention of international law.” It reiterated the UAE’s rejection of any attempts to alter the legal status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and called for renewed international efforts to achieve peace based on a two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state.
Saudi Arabia also voiced its disapproval, accusing Israel of “entrenching its occupation” and violating the sovereignty of neighbouring states. The Saudi Foreign Ministry urged the global community to hold Israel accountable for its actions and prioritise respect for state borders to reduce tensions and support peace initiatives.
The publication of the map follows previous statements by Israeli officials advocating similar claims. In March 2023, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sparked outrage by addressing an event alongside a map depicting a “greater Israel” encompassing parts of Jordan. Such assertions have consistently been denounced by Arab nations, including Jordan and Palestine, who view them as attempts to legitimise the occupation and undermine prospects for a just resolution.
Israel’s continued occupation of territories in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, and its opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, remain at the heart of the ongoing conflict. The recent controversy underscores the fragility of peace efforts in the region and the urgent need for international intervention to uphold legal and moral obligations.
