Netanyahu Defends ‘Greater Israel’ Vision Amid Gaza War

The term ‘Greater Israel’ [Eretz Yisrael HaShlema] has been in use since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War to refer to Israel and the territories it occupied, including the Golan Heights and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Early Revisionist Zionists, notably Ze’ev Jabotinsky, expanded the definition to include Jordan. Netanyahu’s Likud party has maintained the concept as part of its ideological core, with settlement expansion in occupied territories seen by critics as an effort to make a Palestinian state impossible.

During the interview, former Knesset member Sharon Gal presented Netanyahu with an amulet depicting the ‘Greater Israel’ map. Netanyahu’s immediate response — “Very much” — underscored his personal and political identification with the idea.

Gaza War And Forced Exodus Remarks

Netanyahu told the interviewer that Israel would allow Palestinians to leave Gaza, both from active combat zones and the territory as a whole, if they wished. His comments came as Gaza’s Health Ministry reported nearly 61,600 Palestinian deaths since October 2023.

The prime minister’s statements follow mounting global condemnation of Israel’s campaign in Gaza. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes, and the International Court of Justice is hearing a genocide case against Israel. Critics argue that the war is an accelerated attempt to implement the ‘Greater Israel’ plan, pursuing “maximum land, minimum Arabs.”