Former Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Hussein Hreidi, warned that the region is currently witnessing the final stage of the “Greater Israel” project. He emphasized that Arab states must adopt decisive national positions to prevent a “third Nakba,” which could involve the displacement of some Arabs from their countries, not just Palestinians.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Hreidi pointed out that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—who is wanted by the International Criminal Court—has sought to appease the far-right through his recent statements, while simultaneously revealing alignment with global Zionist objectives.
Earlier on Wednesday, Netanyahu told “24 News” that he is convinced of the “Greater Israel” idea, introducing a religious dimension to the conflict that Arabs have approached politically and security-wise for the past two years, according to Hreidi.
The former Egyptian diplomat stressed that all Arab states, particularly those with normalization agreements with Israel, must rise to their national responsibilities. Failure to do so, he warned, would leave populations to bear the consequences of territorial expansion that threatens the West Bank, Jordan, Gaza, and parts of Egypt and Lebanon.
Hreidi further noted that ignoring this expansionist agenda signals Arab states’ continued commitment to normalization policies and strengthening relations with Israel, in line with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision. He described Netanyahu’s statements as a “third Nakba,” following the 1948 Nakba and the second Nakba in Gaza, as the project could lead to the displacement of Arabs from multiple countries, not just Palestinians.
