Saudi Prince Accuses Israel of Expansionist Ambitions, Greater Threat Than Iran
RIYADH – Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal has publicly accused Israel of harboring expansionist ambitions, specifically aiming to create a “Greater Israel” extending from the Nile River to the Euphrates River. This assessment, delivered in an interview with The National, positions Israel as a more significant threat to regional stability than Iran, according to the senior Saudi royal.
Greater Israel: A Declared Ambition?
Prince Turki al-Faisal stated that Israel “openly stating that they want to develop what they call ‘Greater Israel’ from river to river, from the Nile to the Euphrates.” Israel Hayom reported on February 15, 2026.
Competing Regional Ambitions
The prince acknowledged the presence of competing ambitions within the region, noting Iran’s own aspirations and the involvement of external powers like the United States, China, Russia, and Europe. He emphasized that the Middle East has historically been viewed as a prize for those seeking control. Israel Hayom
Concerns Over US Role in Gaza
On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Prince Turki al-Faisal questioned the United States’ ability to effectively intervene in Gaza without the institutional backing of the United Nations. He suggested that neither NATO nor the Arab League would be capable of acting independently, and that the US alone would be insufficient. Israel Hayom
Criticism of Israeli Actions in Gaza
Prince Turki al-Faisal likewise voiced criticism of ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza, stating that Israel continues to violate ceasefires and that Palestinians are being killed daily. He acknowledged Hamas’s actions but argued that they do not justify Israel’s continued violations. Israel Hayom
Israel as a Greater Threat Than Iran
Previously, in December 2025, Prince Turki Al Faisal argued that Israel, not Iran, poses the greater threat to regional stability. He cited Israeli strikes on Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria as evidence of Israel’s increasingly assertive military posture. The National News
GCC Joint Air Defence System
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is nearing completion of a joint air defence system, prompted by attacks on Qatar attributed to both Israel and Iran. Prince Turki al-Faisal highlighted the need for GCC unity in the face of these threats, drawing parallels to the US intervention following Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. The National News
Prince Turki al-Faisal’s Background
Prince Turki al-Faisal is a highly influential figure in the Saudi royal family, having previously served as Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US and as head of Saudi intelligence. Israel Hayom