The concept of “Greater Israel” has long carried different meanings, often tied to biblical promises of land to Abraham’s descendants and later political disputes over Israel’s borders. In Genesis 15:18–21, God promised Abram land “from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates,” though scholars debate whether this refers to the Nile or a smaller border stream such as Wadi al-Arish. Some see this as extending far beyond modern Israel, while passages in Numbers 34 and Ezekiel 47 suggest boundaries more consistent with Israel’s current territory. Since the rise of political Zionism and the 1922 British Mandate, arguments over borders have grown sharper, especially after the UN partition plan and Israel’s subsequent wars, which expanded its control into Judea, Samaria, and the Golan Heights.

In the modern era, the idea of Greater Israel varies widely. For some Israelis, it simply refers to maintaining full control over territories captured in 1967. For a smaller but vocal group within the Religious Zionist camp, it means the maximalist vision of land stretching between the Nile and the Euphrates—a belief held by figures like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Rabbi Israel Ariel. Others interpret “Greater Israel” not as physical borders but as regional influence, where Israel maintains dominance over neighboring lands without direct annexation. This diversity of interpretation explains why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s perceived support for the idea stirred controversy, as opponents fear it signals a push for expansionism that would deepen conflict across the Middle East.

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SOURCE: All Israel News