Egypt’s Islamic institutes severely criticize Israeli remarks of illusions of ‘Greater Israel’

CAIRO – 15 August 2025: Egypt’s Islamic institutes of Al Azhar Sheikhdom and the Iftaa House (for Fatwa issuance) condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent statements expressing strong attachment to the “Greater Israel” vision. They said that “this Israeli occupation’s illusions will not change the truth.”

Al-Azhar condemned the irresponsible statements of occupation officials regarding the illusion of the so-called "Greater Israel". The Islamic Sunni institute added that these Israeli statements expose their extremist intentions to seize the region's wealth and swallow up what remains of Palestinian territories, in a blatant violation and disregard for the will and capabilities of the people.

Al-Azhar affirmed that these political illusions will not change the truth. “They are merely arrogance and an attempt to divert attention from its crimes, massacres, and genocide in Gaza, aiming to wipe Palestine off the world map,” the Al Azhar Sheikhdom said in the statement on Thursday.

It added that these Israeli policies have become disgraceful and exposed, and will not grant the occupation legitimacy over even one inch of Palestinian land. 

“Palestine is a purely Arab and Islamic land, and it will remain resistant to obliteration and distortion of facts. Rights do not expire with time, and whatever is built on falsehood is false and destined to perish.

Al-Azhar stressed its categorical rejection of the extremist religious narratives that the occupation occasionally propagates to test the seriousness of the countries and peoples of the region in dealing with these illusions.

Al-Azhar called on the Arab and Islamic nations to unite in confronting this arrogance that threatens the unity of nations and the stability of the entire region.

 Al-Azhar also called for strengthening the joint Arab and Islamic stance and intensifying political, diplomatic, and media efforts to expose the false narratives of the usurping occupier and confront its schemes. 

Al-Azhar affirmed that the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and all other holy sites will not be an easy target, that truth will return to its people, and that falsehood will perish, no matter how long it takes.

Meanwhile, Grand Mufti of Egypt and Chairman of the General Secretariat of Fatwa Authorities and Institutions Worldwide Nazir Muhammad Ayyad condemned in the strongest terms the reckless statements made by some leaders of the Zionist entity regarding what they call "Greater Israel." 

He described them as a political lie with no basis in reality, and an old myth being revived to justify expansionist and hegemonic projects in the region. He emphasized that these allegations reveal a colonial mentality still trapped in daydreams. 

The Grand Mufti stressed that the occupation's daily policies of indiscriminate bombing of innocents, targeting homes with their inhabitants, and a stifling siege under which the life of a human or non-human being is unbearable, represent the true face of this large-scale aggressive project. 

He stressed that such actions cannot grant the occupier any kind of legitimacy, but rather expose its crimes before the world, and confirm that it is living in a worsening moral and political dilemma. He pointed out that attempts to obliterate the Palestinian identity or impose a new reality on the ground by force of arms are doomed to failure, just as the illusions of colonizers have failed throughout history.

Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that he is on “a historic and spiritual mission,” expressing strong attachment to the “Greater Israel” vision.

The term “Greater Israel” is widely used to describe a religiously driven ideology among Zionist extremists, envisioning an Israeli state that extends into parts of modern-day Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Netanyahu’s remarks sparked widespread Arab condemnation, including from Egypt, which called for clarification in light of their serious implications. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that such statements reflect a rejection of the peace path and a deliberate move toward escalation.