London (VCA News Special Report by mi9):__ Saudi Arabia and Qatar have united in their condemnation of a controversial map published by Israel, which depicts significant portions of Arab lands as part of Israeli territory. The map, posted by official Israeli government accounts, has sparked outrage across the Arab world, as it includes territories from Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. This act has been widely criticized as part of Israel’s longstanding expansionist ambitions, causing regional tensions to flare once again.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry swiftly issued a strong statement, expressing the Kingdom’s rejection of Israel’s territorial claims and labeling the move as extremist and a blatant violation of international law. The statement emphasized that these actions were intended to solidify Israel’s occupation of Arab lands and warned that such provocations could have severe consequences for peace and stability in the region. Saudi Arabia’s condemnation is not only a reflection of its long-standing support for the Palestinian cause but also an acknowledgment of the broader implications for regional security.

In its statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry called on the international community to assume its responsibility in addressing Israel’s violations of international law. The Kingdom emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty of countries in the region, particularly at a time when tensions are high and the prospects for peace are fragile. Saudi Arabia warned that continued Israeli provocations could exacerbate existing tensions, undermining ongoing efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.

Qatar’s response was equally forceful, with the Qatari Foreign Ministry denouncing the map as a flagrant violation of international norms. The Ministry warned that the publication of the map would further complicate efforts to achieve peace in the region, particularly in light of the ongoing brutal war in Gaza. Qatar has long positioned itself as a mediator in regional conflicts, and this condemnation highlights its commitment to standing against Israel’s territorial ambitions and in support of Palestinian rights.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry’s statement emphasized the need for the international community to fulfill its legal and moral obligations by pressuring Israel to halt its expansionist activities in Arab territories. The Ministry called for a collective global response to Israel’s actions, warning that failure to address these provocations could hinder any progress toward peace in the region. Qatar has often played a diplomatic role in brokering ceasefires and peace negotiations, and its condemnation of the map underscores the seriousness with which it views Israel’s actions.

The map in question, shared on social media platforms by official Israeli accounts, depicts the so-called biblical boundaries of Israel and Judea, extending into modern-day Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. The map’s publication has been interpreted by many Arab leaders as an overt expression of Israel’s expansionist ideology, which has been a source of conflict in the region for decades. This move is seen as an attempt to legitimize Israel’s claims to territories beyond its internationally recognized borders, further complicating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Jordan, one of the countries directly impacted by the map, was quick to express its outrage. The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the map as an attempt to deny Palestinians their legitimate rights and warned that such provocations could lead to heightened tensions and violence. Jordan has long been a staunch advocate for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and has been critical of Israeli actions that undermine this goal. The Kingdom’s condemnation of the map reflects its broader concerns about regional stability and the potential for further escalation of the conflict.

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Ambassador Dr. Sufian Qudah, reaffirmed the country’s rejection of Israel’s territorial claims and emphasized that such actions would not diminish Jordan’s sovereignty or the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Qudah described the map as a violation of international law and a blatant attempt by Israel to assert control over lands that rightfully belong to Arab nations. He reiterated Jordan’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause and called for a unified Arab response to counter Israel’s expansionist agenda.

The Arab League, a regional organization representing 22 Arab countries, also joined in condemning Israel’s actions. Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit described the publication of the map as a deliberate and alarming provocation, warning that such actions could further inflame extremist sentiments on all sides. Aboul Gheit emphasized that the Israeli government’s move reflected its radical agenda, which poses a serious threat to regional stability and peaceful coexistence.

In his statement, Aboul Gheit called on the international community to take immediate action to address Israel’s provocations. He warned that ignoring such actions could lead to a dangerous escalation of violence, with extremist groups on both sides using the situation to justify their agendas. The Arab League has been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, and its condemnation of the map is part of a broader effort to prevent further destabilization of the region.

The controversy surrounding the map has also drawn attention to the role of Israeli far-right politicians in promoting expansionist policies. Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s finance minister and a prominent figure in the country’s far-right movement, has been one of the most vocal proponents of annexing the West Bank and rebuilding settlements in Gaza. Smotrich’s statements have alarmed Arab leaders, who view his rhetoric as a direct threat to the prospects for peace in the region.

In a recent statement, Smotrich declared that 2025 would be the year of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, signaling his intention to assert full Israeli control over the West Bank. His comments have raised fears that Israel is preparing to annex large portions of Palestinian land, further complicating efforts to establish a two-state solution. Smotrich’s hardline stance has been a source of tension not only with Arab nations but also within the international community, which has long supported the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

The publication of the map has coincided with increased Israeli military operations in Gaza, where the conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to significant casualties and widespread destruction. Palestinian officials have accused Israel of conducting ethnic cleansing and violating international humanitarian law. The map, which many see as part of a broader strategy to redraw the region’s borders, has added fuel to an already volatile situation.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesperson for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the map as a blatant violation of international legitimacy resolutions and laws. He called on the international community to take immediate action to prevent Israel from pursuing its expansionist goals. Abu Rudeineh also reiterated that such actions would not deter Palestinians from continuing their struggle for independence and sovereignty. The Palestinian Authority has long sought international support for its efforts to achieve statehood, and the publication of this map has only intensified its calls for global intervention.

Hamas, the Palestinian resistance movement, also issued a strong statement rejecting the map as further evidence of Israel’s colonial ambitions. Hamas warned that the international community’s failure to confront Israel’s actions would embolden the Israeli government to pursue even more aggressive policies in the region. The movement urged Arab and Muslim nations to take decisive action to stop what it described as Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people.

In its statement, Hamas accused Israel of pursuing a policy of ethnic cleansing in the occupied Palestinian territories, warning that the publication of the map was part of a broader strategy to annex more Arab lands. Hamas called for an immediate halt to Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank and urged the international community to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law. The movement’s condemnation of the map is in line with its broader opposition to Israeli occupation and its commitment to resisting Israeli control over Palestinian territories.

The publication of the map has also sparked widespread anger in Lebanon and Syria, both of which have long been impacted by Israel’s territorial ambitions. Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon and the Golan Heights in Syria has been a source of conflict for decades, and the inclusion of these territories in the map has only deepened existing tensions. Lebanese and Syrian officials condemned the map as an affront to their national sovereignty, warning that Israel’s actions could lead to further escalation of violence in the region.

Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement rejecting the map as a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and a threat to regional peace. The Ministry warned that Israel’s expansionist ambitions could destabilize the entire Middle East and called on the international community to take immediate action to prevent further escalation. Syria’s Foreign Ministry echoed these concerns, accusing Israel of pursuing a policy of aggression that threatens the security of the region.

In response to the growing diplomatic crisis, several Arab countries have called on the United Nations to take immediate action. The UAE, which normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords, expressed disappointment with the Israeli government’s actions. In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry described the map as a deliberate effort to expand Israel’s occupation of Arab lands, violating both international law and the spirit of recent peace agreements.

The UAE has been a key player in regional peace efforts, and its condemnation of the map underscores the challenges facing the normalization process. While the Abraham Accords were hailed as a breakthrough in Arab-Israeli relations, Israel’s continued expansionist policies have complicated the prospects for lasting peace. The UAE’s statement emphasized the importance of supporting regional and international efforts to advance the peace process, with the ultimate goal of establishing a two-state solution.

As the international community reacts to the controversy, there are growing concerns that Israel’s actions could lead to a wider regional conflict. Analysts warn that the provocative nature of the map, combined with the inflammatory rhetoric of Israeli ministers, could ignite further violence between Israel and its neighbors. Arab leaders have expressed concern that Israel’s expansionist ambitions pose a direct threat not only to Palestine but to the entire Middle East.

With each passing day, the situation in the region grows more precarious, and the need for a comprehensive and lasting peace solution becomes increasingly urgent. The publication of the map serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead and the difficult road to peace in the Middle East.

As Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Arab nations continue to rally around the Palestinian cause, the question remains: will the international community step in to prevent further escalation, or will Israel’s expansionist ambitions continue unchecked? The world watches as tensions rise, and the future of the region hangs in the balance.