In January, an interview with Israeli writer Avi Lipkin gained significant attention when he spoke about the idea of a 'Greater Israel,' suggesting that one day the borders could extend from Lebanon to the vast deserts of Saudi Arabia and from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates in Iraq. Lipkin claimed, "On the other side of the Euphrates are the Kurds, who are our allies." He expressed the belief that Lebanon requires Israel's protection and asserted that Israel would capture Mecca, Medina, and Sinai to "purify" these regions.
The resurgence of the 'Greater Israel' concept has been particularly prominent on social media following Israel's military operations in Lebanon after the conflict in Gaza. Speculation was fueled by social media claims that some Israeli soldiers were seen wearing badges featuring a map of 'Greater Israel.' This has raised concerns among users in Arab nations, given that the proposed map encompasses parts of Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Egypt.
In recent months, Israeli military actions in neighboring countries have escalated, including targeted strikes in Iran, Syria, and Lebanon. This aggressive posture appears to be intensifying as efforts for a ceasefire by the United Nations and Western powers, including the United States, have stalled.
Many Jews in Israel refer to this broader region as 'Eretz Israel' or 'Land of Israel,' which denotes a geographical area significantly larger than the country's current boundaries. The notion of Greater Israel is not new; it has historical roots that stretch back several centuries, and understanding its origins sheds light on the territories it encompasses as part of 'The Promised Land.'
Theodore Herzl, the founder of Zionism, envisioned the 'Promised Land' or Greater Israel as extending from the Nile River in Egypt to the Euphrates River in Iraq. This broader concept encompasses areas including Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
In 1947, the United Nations approved a plan to partition Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, designating Jerusalem as an international city. However, Israeli politician and former Prime Minister Menachem Begin declared this partition illegal, asserting that Jerusalem is and always will be Israel's capital and that the borders of Eretz Yisrael should be restored indefinitely.
Adrian Stein, in his work "Zionism 2.0: Themes and Proposals of Reshaping World Civilization," notes that the term Greater Israel holds varied meanings for different groups. For many Jews, both in Israel and the diaspora, it signifies the extension of Israeli sovereignty up to the Jordan River, encompassing biblical regions such as Judea and Samaria, along with territories acquired after the 1948 war, including the Sinai Peninsula, northern Israel, and the Golan Heights.
Taqi Nasirat, a Washington-based political analyst with a keen eye on Middle Eastern affairs, argues that the concept of Greater Israel is deeply rooted in Israeli society, with substantial support from various sectors, including the government and military. In an interview with the Media, Nasirat explained that many Israelis feel they possess a biblical and historical claim to lands that stretch not just "from river to sea," but also "from river to river," encompassing regions from the Euphrates to the Nile and everything in between.
While this reflects the original ambition behind the Greater Israel concept, Nasirat suggests that a more pragmatic perspective today involves the recognition of territories that Israel has long occupied, such as the West Bank, Gaza, and the Golan Heights.
Omar Karim, an expert on Middle Eastern affairs at the University of Birmingham and an associate fellow at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, views the concept of Greater Israel as "just a myth." In an interview with the Media, he explained that, according to Jewish religious beliefs, Greater Israel encompasses ancient regions of the Middle East that were once part of the Ottoman Empire and where Jewish communities thrived.
Karim noted that when the Israelites exited Egypt, their central focus was Palestine, the area where they settled, which included places where Jews historically lived. He argues that the idea of Greater Israel is largely a political construct rather than a practical reality. While some Zionist narratives claim Gaza as part of this vision, Karim emphasizes that the concept extends to regions in the Arabian Peninsula, including modern-day Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt, yet remains a mere "fantasy."
Regarding 'The Promised Land,' Karim points out that during their time in Egypt under the rule of Joseph, the Jews’ influence stretched from Palestine to Bilad al-Sham (now Syria) and parts of the Euphrates, at a time when there were no Arab states. He suggests that this historical context led to the belief that "all the areas where the children of Israel thrived should belong to us."
Ultimately, Karim concludes that the notion of Greater Israel is not feasible in today's context, arguing that it currently only pertains to the occupied territories, specifically the West Bank and Gaza.
The Resurgence of the Greater Israel Debate: Is There a Plan in Motion?
Taqi Nasirat highlights the controversy surrounding a 'Greater Israel' map presented by right-wing Israeli minister Bezalel Smutrich in 2023, which controversially included Jordan. This presentation, made during a speech in Paris, ignited a diplomatic conflict, prompting Jordan to vehemently protest, claiming it violated their peace agreement.
Nasirat emphasizes that figures like Smutrich and Ben Gvir represent constituencies that envision this concept as a legitimate future for Israel. She argues that under Prime Minister Netanyahu's current government, this vision is being realized through the arming, support, and protection of illegal Israeli settlers.
These settlers have reportedly engaged in aggressive actions, such as burning Palestinian olive groves, displacing families from their homes, and using intimidation tactics to force Palestinians to flee. Nasirat believes that since the October 7 attacks by Hamas, these settlers have gained considerable influence, operating alongside the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and with the backing of Netanyahu's administration.
Despite often being labeled as 'non-state actors,' Nasirat insists that they receive direct support from the Prime Minister, who approved the establishment of 5,300 new settlements in July of this year.
Omar Karim asserts that "extremists in any nation share dreams similar to those of far-right Zionists in Israel." He explains that since the establishment of Israel, the Jewish community has embraced the idea of a religious state, largely because Jews had often been minorities or citizens in the countries where they lived.
Karim draws a parallel between Israel and Pakistan, noting that both represent the concept of a religious state where nationality is defined by religion. He argues that this has led to discussions about expanding Israel's territorial claims, as many feel empowered by the establishment of their religious state to pursue traditional boundaries.
While Karim acknowledges that there are some fringe elements in Israel advocating for such expansion, he believes this is largely impractical. He points out that Israel maintains diplomatic relations with neighboring countries like Jordan, which necessitates recognition of existing borders. Additionally, Israel has established ties with the United Arab Emirates and has relatively positive relations with Saudi Arabia. The only significant conflict remains with Syria over the Golan Heights, but beyond that, there are no major disputes.
In Karim's view, the notion of a Greater Israel is more of a fantasy than a feasible political agenda. Serious politicians and analysts in Israel seldom discuss it, though the idea persists among certain groups who envision a revival of Jewish influence worldwide.
Potential Western Reactions to Israel's Pursuit of a Greater Israel Plan: Support, Condemnation, or Indifference?
If Israel were to pursue the plan for Greater Israel, Taqi Nasirat suggests that the West, particularly the United States, has historically responded weakly to the evolving realities on the ground and the expansion of Israeli settlements. She points out that when Israel recently permitted violent settlers to establish new settlements, the Biden administration issued a rather muted condemnation.
Nasirat believes that there has been a lack of serious backlash from Western countries that traditionally support Israel, leading her to conclude that "in a way, Western nations are giving a green light" to Israel’s ambitions, with influential Israeli leaders actively working to realize this vision.
On the other hand, Omar Karim argues that the establishment of Greater Israel would likely be unacceptable to both the West and Jewish communities living abroad. He explains that when Israel was founded in 1947, it was intended as a refuge for Jews facing global persecution, a sentiment supported by Western nations and enshrined in international law. He notes that all Western countries and the United Nations continue to recognize the West Bank and Gaza as occupied territories, a view upheld by both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Karim emphasizes that not only the West Bank but also the Golan Heights, occupied since 1967, is seen as occupied territory by Western nations and international organizations. He contends that the concept of Greater Israel lacks legal standing and that Israel does not possess the military capacity to execute such a plan. Any attempt to do so, he argues, would require political and military endorsement from the West.
Ultimately, Karim views the idea of Greater Israel as a fantasy, serving as a "political lifeline" for extremist groups and helping to sustain their ideologies, similar to how some factions in Pakistan advocate for a caliphate and global dominance.
History Arab world The Middle East