Netanyahu Says He on ‘Historic and Spiritual mission,’ and Feels Connection to Vision of Greater Israel
Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he feels a strong connection to the vision of a “Greater Israel,” which includes occupied Palestinian territories as well as parts of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. He also revealed that he refused to take US approval for assaults in Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon, stating, “With or without approval, it doesn’t matter.”
We Would’ve Hit Iran Even Without US Approval: Defying America, Israel’s Closest Ally
In an interview on Tuesday with i24 News, Netanyahu said the Israeli forces and commanders didn’t want to invade Rafah city in southern Gaza. “And I said we were going in, in the face of an American embargo by the US President.”
Regarding the Pager attacks in Lebanon, they said, “at least we should tell the Biden administration beforehand and I said- no.”
The same thing happened with the assassiantion of Hassan Nasrallah. Netanyahu said, “They said that we had to tell the Americans and that meant that it wouldn’t happen. It could be leaked. I said, no.”
On Israel’s assault on Iran, Netanyahu said he also refused to take the approval from the Americans. “With or without approval, it doesn’t matter,” he said while referring to Trump, “There is a very sympathetic president. We are not asking for approval and I will do everything to persuade him.”
Gaza’s Ceasefire Agreement
Netanyahu claimed that he wants to bring all the Israeli captives in one deal, not a partial deal, “but on our terms of ending the war” despite repeatedly rejecting agreements on the table.
Hamas said in July that the group had in recent months offered a “comprehensive deal” that would release all captives at once, but it was rejected by Netanyahu and his far-right ministers.
Forced Displacement of Palestinians from Gaza
Netanyahu claimed Gazans “should not be imprisoned.”
“Give them the opportunity to leave. First of all, to leave combat zones. And also to leave the strip if they want. We will allow that. We are allowing them to leave.”
Netanyahu also referred to the receiving countries, saying “there is dialogue” between several countries.
Netanyahu said counties who say “they care about the Palestinians and want to help the Palestinians” should “open their doors. We will allow them to come out.”
The Israeli occupation government consistently describes the forced expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza as “voluntary immigration” or simply “leaving.” However, Palestinians and human rights organizations view these actions, also supported by former President Trump, as forced displacement and ethnic cleansing. Under international law, forcibly relocating civilians constitutes a war crime.
Germany Arms Embargo and European States Stance
Netanyahu said, “I am not moved by these Europeans , who are in a hurry to surrender to minorities,” referring to European countries’ stance on Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the ongoing blockade. Meanwhile, several European nations, including the UK, France, and Canada, have announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September.
In response to Germany’s decision to freeze exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza “until further notice” over the assault in Gaza , Netanyahu said, “We have a mutual supply relationship with Germany. I think they don’t forget that. They are under pressure.”
Greater Israel
The interviewer Sharon Gal, who was briefly a right-wing member of Knesset, gave to Netanyahu what he said is an amulet of “a map of the Promised Land,” according to The Times of Israel.
Asked if he feels a connection to “this vision” of a Greater Israel, Netanyahu said: “Very much.”
Gal’s question about a Greater Israel after he asked Netanyahu if he feels he is on a mission on behalf of the Jewish people. Netanyahu answered, “I have a sense of mission, historically and spiritually.”
VIDEO | Israeli PM Netanyahu tells i24 News he is on “a mission of generations” of Jews — a “historic spiritual mission” tied to the vision of 'Greater Israel.' pic.twitter.com/GvYs5DmZxN
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) August 13, 2025
The amulet itself did not appear on screen.
The term has previously been used by ultra-nationalist Israelis to claim parts of Jordan, Egypt and Syria – along with the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip – as part of a future Israeli state.
Last year, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was filmed advocating for the expansion of Israeli borders to include Damascus.
He suggested that Israel would gradually grow to encompass not only all Palestinian territories but also parts of Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
“It is written that the future of Jerusalem is to expand to Damascus,” he said, invoking the “Greater Israel” ideology.
Smotrich had previously raised similar ideas during a 2023 memorial service for a Likud activist in Paris.
Speaking from a podium adorned with a map of Israel that included Jordan, he controversially stated that “there is no such thing” as the Palestinian people.
