What is Greater Israel, and how popular is it among Israelis? | Israel-Palestine conflict News
US, Israeli Officials Spark Controversy with “Greater Israel” Remarks
Recent remarks by American and Israeli officials endorsing the idea of a “Greater Israel” have raised concerns among regional leaders and highlighted a vision that has rarely been articulated openly.
The controversy began during an interview with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, conducted by right-wing podcaster Tucker Carlson and aired last week. Despite his prior criticism of Israel, Carlson pressed Huckabee on whether he supported Israel’s control over the territory between the Nile River in Egypt and the Euphrates River in Iraq.
Huckabee, identified as a Christian Zionist, did not distance himself from the belief that biblical texts promise this land to Israel, which encompasses parts of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. “It would be fine if they took it all,” Huckabee stated, prompting a backlash from affected nations, many of which are US allies.
On Monday, Yair Lapid, Israeli opposition leader, echoed similar sentiments. He expressed support for “anything that will allow the Jews a large, broad, strong land and a safe haven for us.” He referred to Zionism’s biblical foundations, asserting that the “borders of the land of Israel are clear,” and that they align with biblical narratives.
Defining Greater Israel
The concept of a Greater Israel is most expansively defined by a biblical verse (Genesis 15:18-21), which describes God making a covenant with Abraham, promising his descendants land between the Nile and the Euphrates. This land claim extends not only to the Jewish people, believed to be descended from Abraham’s son Isaac, but also to Arabs, who trace their lineage to Abraham’s son Ishmael.
Notably, other interpretations based on different biblical verses provide a narrower scope, limiting the claim to territories designated for Isaac’s descendants.
Israel’s Expansionist History
The modern state of Israel was established in 1948 following the British Mandate for Palestine, which geographically constrained its borders. The subsequent war resulted in Israel gaining control of most Mandatory Palestine, excluding the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In 1967, Israel further expanded its territory by defeating neighboring Arab forces, leading to its control over the West Bank, Gaza, Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, and Syria’s Golan Heights. The Sinai was returned to Egypt in 1982, but Israel continues to occupy Palestinian and Syrian lands, often disregarding international law.
Public Sentiment Toward Greater Israel
Support for expansion can be divided into two concepts: immediate territorial expansion and the more extreme vision of a Greater Israel extending between the Nile and the Euphrates. Generally, Israeli Jews tend to support the annexation of East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. While the government is moving toward a de facto annexation of the West Bank, there are varying levels of openness among politicians regarding its formal annexation.
Far-right parties within Israel favor the expansion into Gaza, though broader territorial claims—particularly those encompassing parts of Jordan—remain controversial. Pre-1948 Zionist movements sought broader territorial claims, but such aspirations faded after Israel’s establishment. However, recent years have seen far-right figures gain a foothold in the government, indicating a shift in the political landscape.
Regional Reactions
Countries in the region have expressed alarm over any potential annexation of the West Bank, marking it as a “red line” they vow not to cross. The backlash to Huckabee’s remarks is part of a wider historical context, wherein leaders have vocally opposed similar statements. For instance, Jordan condemned Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for a speech that showcased a map including Jordan as part of Israel.
Huckabee’s comments have drawn widespread condemnation from Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey. This response reflects regional fears regarding Israel’s growing military influence and perceived disregard for national sovereignty.
While the prospect of a Greater Israel may not be feasible, Israel’s status as a dominant power in the region could exacerbate tensions, potentially leading to further conflicts and occupations.
