The idea of "Greater Israel" has resurfaced following a viral Jerusalem Post article. Rooted in biblical and Zionist aspirations, it envisions Israel expanding its borders, a concept gaining traction within right-wing Israeli politics. This video explores its history and implications.

What is Greater Israel?

The concept of "Greater Israel" has recently gained attention after an article in The Jerusalem Post titled "Is Lebanon Part of Israel's Promised Territory?" went viral. This idea, which refers to the biblical boundaries of Israel as promised to the Jewish people in religious texts, has deep roots in Zionist ideology. While interpretations of "Greater Israel" vary—ranging from symbolic aspirations to literal geographic claims—the term is often associated with expanding Israel’s borders to those mentioned in biblical covenants.

Origins and Early Zionist Thought

Greater Israel has been a part of Zionist discourse since the movement's inception. One of the first mentions of it is in the diary of Theodor Herzl, the founder of Zionism, in 1898. Herzl's vision of a future Jewish state extended from the Nile to the Euphrates. This idea was presented during the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, where the borders of future states were being drawn after World War I. Zionist leaders, like David Ben-Gurion, advocated for a Jewish state that included parts of Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.

Biblical Roots and Religious Ideology

The concept of Greater Israel originates from promises made in the Torah. The land described in the covenant with Abraham includes territory stretching from Egypt to the Euphrates River. Religious Zionists, particularly Messianic Zionists, interpret these boundaries as an idealized version of Israel’s future borders. This belief has influenced Israeli politics, particularly among right-wing groups.

Colonialism and the Sykes-Picot Agreement

After World War I, the British and French colonial powers carved up the Middle East into arbitrary states, leading to a legacy of ethnic and sectarian conflict. This division, known as the Sykes-Picot Agreement, played a significant role in shaping modern-day Arab countries and further complicated efforts toward Arab unity. The Zionist movement benefited from these divisions, particularly in Palestine, where British colonial policies favored Zionist settlement.

Israel's Expanding Borders

Israel’s borders have changed multiple times since its establishment in 1948. The country has engaged in several wars and territorial expansions, notably during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the 1967 Six-Day War. In 1967, Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula, more than doubling its territory. Although Israel eventually returned the Sinai to Egypt, it continues to occupy other territories, including the Golan Heights and parts of the West Bank.

Israel’s Lebanon Invasion and Regional Strategy

In 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon, marking its first attempt to extend influence beyond historic Palestine. The invasion was part of a larger strategy outlined in a 1980s paper titled A Strategy for Israel in the 1980s. This strategy, written by an advisor to then-Israeli Defense Minister Ariel Sharon, emphasized exploiting sectarian divisions in Arab countries to weaken them from within. The goal was to ensure Israel’s dominance in the region by promoting civil wars and internal strife in neighboring Arab states.

Zionist Ideology and The Iron Wall

One of the most influential figures in Zionist ideology was Ze’ev Jabotinsky, the founder of Revisionist Zionism. His famous essay, The Iron Wall, written in 1923, argued that the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine could only be achieved through force. Jabotinsky believed that there would never be voluntary consent from the native Arab population, so a "wall of iron" was needed to protect Jewish settlers and ensure the success of the Zionist project.

The Ongoing Relevance of Pan-Arabism

While the Israeli strategy has focused on exploiting divisions in the Arab world, the Palestinian cause continues to unite many Arabs. The recent normalization of relations between Israel and certain Arab states, known as the Abraham Accords, has not diminished the centrality of Palestine in Arab political consciousness. Despite the challenges to Arab unity, pan-Arabism remains a potent force in the region, particularly concerning the question of Palestine.

Conclusion: The Future of Greater Israel

The idea of Greater Israel remains a controversial and divisive topic, deeply rooted in religious, political, and colonial history. As Israel continues to engage in territorial expansion and influence in the region, questions about its borders and its long-term strategy remain critical. The notion of Arab unity, which Israel’s strategy seeks to undermine, still holds significant relevance today, particularly as new generations of Arabs rally around the Palestinian cause. The future of the Middle East will likely continue to be shaped by these competing visions.