Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly affirmed his commitment to a vision of a “Greater Israel,” a concept that could encompass not only the occupied Palestinian territories but also parts of Jordan and Egypt. In a revealing interview with Israeli broadcaster i24 News, Netanyahu described his role as a “historic” and “spiritual mission” that transcends current political borders.
The interview, conducted by Sharon Gal a right-wing media personality and former Knesset member touched on controversial ideological themes long associated with religious Zionism and ultra-nationalist views. At one point during the conversation, Gal presented Netanyahu with a symbolic gift: a decorative charm containing what he described as the “Map of the Promised Land.”
The gift, given with a note of irony, alluded to Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial, where he faces charges related to receiving expensive gifts, including jewelry, for himself and his wife, Sara.
When asked directly whether he feels personally connected to the idea of a Greater Israel, Netanyahu responded emphatically: “Very much so.” He continued by stating, “If you’re asking whether I feel I am on a mission historical and spiritual then the answer is yes.”
The concept of “Greater Israel” has deep and contentious historical roots. It gained prominence following the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israel seized the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, the Sinai Peninsula (later returned to Egypt after the 1979 peace treaty), and the Golan Heights. While Israel withdrew from Sinai in 1982 and disengaged from Gaza in 2005, the broader ideological framework behind “Greater Israel” continues to influence some elements of Israeli politics.
The idea dates back even further, with early Zionist leaders such as Ze’ev Jabotinsky, the ideological forefather of Netanyahu’s Likud party advocating for a Jewish state that would span both sides of the Jordan River. In that vision, a future Israel could include modern-day Jordan as well as the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territories internationally recognized as part of a prospective Palestinian state.
Netanyahu’s comments have sparked renewed concern over the Israeli government’s long-term territorial ambitions, particularly as his right-wing coalition continues to support settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. His remarks also come at a time of heightened regional tension, with increasing instability in Gaza, friction along Israel’s northern border, and stalled peace talks with the Palestinians.
Critics argue that the rhetoric of “Greater Israel” not only undermines the possibility of a two-state solution but also risks inflaming tensions with neighboring countries, especially Jordan and Egypt both of which have peace treaties with Israel and remain sensitive to any encroachment on their sovereign territory or suggestions of a broader Israeli territorial agenda.
Supporters of Netanyahu, however, view his statements as part of a broader ideological and religious narrative that sees the establishment and expansion of the State of Israel as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy and Jewish historical destiny. For these proponents, Netanyahu’s leadership is not merely political but emblematic of a multi-generational dream.
Whether symbolic or indicative of real geopolitical objectives, Netanyahu’s embrace of the Greater Israel narrative is likely to reverberate across both domestic and international arenas, reigniting debates over the future of the region, the prospects for peace, and the fundamental identity of the Israeli state.
“In your dreams”, that is what all Egyptians respond with, for such a plan.
