Official Israeli accounts publish map claiming parts of Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon as Israeli territory
ISTANBUL – The Palestinian Authority and Jordan have vehemently condemned an Israeli map depicting parts of Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon as part of Israel’s territory, calling it a provocative move that undermines international law and regional stability.
The map, shared on official Israeli social media platforms, claims “historical territorial rights” over these lands, sparking widespread criticism.
Palestinian response
Palestinian Authority spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh labelled the map “a blatant violation of all international legitimacy resolutions and international law.” He warned that such provocations, coupled with ongoing settler violence, demand immediate international intervention.
“These actions are part of a broader campaign of war and destruction against the Palestinian people. They threaten regional security and destroy any prospects for peace,” Abu Rudeineh said, urging the international community to act decisively.
The spokesman also called on the US administration to pressure Israel to halt policies that perpetuate instability. “The global community must recognise the consequences of allowing such aggressive tactics to persist,” he added.
Jordan’s strong reproach
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry denounced the map as “provocative and baseless.” It said the move was part of a wider strategy to advance Israeli territorial claims at the expense of its neighbours.
“This map falsely asserts historical territorial rights for Israel and comes amidst dangerous rhetoric by far-right Israeli officials,” the ministry stated. It specifically cited recent remarks by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich advocating for the annexation of the occupied West Bank and the establishment of settlements in Gaza.
“These measures will neither erode Jordan’s sovereignty nor alter the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,” the ministry declared. It urged the Israeli government to immediately cease these actions, warning that such provocations only fuel tensions and jeopardise regional stability.
Israeli silence and historical context
Israel has yet to respond to the backlash. However, the map’s publication has drawn comparisons to past controversies, including a similar incident in March 2023. At that time, Smotrich stood by a map of “greater Israel” during an event in Paris, which depicted Jordan as part of a self-proclaimed Jewish state.
This narrative aligns with far-right factions in Israel that continue to advocate for territorial expansion, a stance widely rejected by the international community.
Regional implications
The timing of the map’s release has heightened tensions in a region already strained by decades of conflict. Analysts warn that such actions undermine efforts to achieve a two-state solution and could provoke further unrest.
Jordan, a key player in regional peace processes, views the map as a direct threat to its sovereignty and the Wadi Araba peace treaty signed with Israel in 1994. This treaty marked an end to hostilities between the two nations following the first Arab-Israeli war in 1948.
Despite these agreements, relations between Jordan and Israel have been tested in recent years by Israel’s settlement expansions and its policies in the occupied territories.
International reactions awaited
The international community has yet to issue a unified response to the latest controversy. However, the incident has renewed calls for global leaders to hold Israel accountable for actions seen as destabilising and contrary to international norms.
In the absence of decisive action, experts warn that such provocations could lead to further polarisation and derail any remaining hopes for lasting peace in the Middle East.
This latest development underscores the fragility of the region and the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. Both Palestine and Jordan have made it clear that they will continue to resist any attempts to rewrite history or violate their sovereignty.
For now, the map controversy serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the region, as well as the critical role of international diplomacy in addressing long-standing conflicts.
