Zionist expansion plans in the Middle East

The concept of Zionist expansion plans in the Middle East, often tied to the idea of "Greater Israel," encompasses a range of historical, religious, and geopolitical ambitions aimed at extending Israeli territory beyond its current borders. This notion is rooted in biblical interpretations and has evolved over time into a complex and controversial topic in modern geopolitics, influencing regional conflicts, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Below is an exploration of the historical context, key developments, and current manifestations of these expansion plans based on available information.

Historical and Ideological Foundations

The idea of "Greater Israel" originates from biblical texts, where God is said to have promised Abraham and his descendants land stretching "from the brook of Egypt to the Euphrates," as described in Genesis, or encompassing regions like Palestine, Lebanon, and parts of Jordan, Syria, and Egypt, as noted in Deuteronomy ^[1]. For some religious Zionists, these texts are interpreted as a divine mandate for territorial expansion. The modern Zionist movement, which emerged in the late 19th century under Theodor Herzl, initially focused on establishing a Jewish homeland in Palestine but also envisioned broader territorial claims, including areas like Sinai and Cyprus, as recorded in Herzl’s diaries ^[2].

Zionism as a political ideology sought to create a Jewish state with a demographic majority, which inherently posed challenges due to the existing non-Jewish Arab population in Palestine ^[3]. The concept of "transfer," or the removal of Palestinians to ensure a Jewish majority, became a recurring theme in Zionist thought, viewed by some as a necessary step to secure a stable Jewish state ^[3]. This ideological underpinning has historically fueled tensions and conflicts over land and sovereignty.

Key Developments Since 1948

The establishment of Israel in 1948, following the UN Partition Plan of 1947, marked a significant milestone for Zionists but also set the stage for territorial disputes. The 1948 Arab-Israeli War resulted in Israel gaining more land than initially allocated, displacing many Palestinians and creating lasting tensions with neighboring Arab states ^[4]. A pivotal moment came during the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights, territories seen by some religious Zionists as a step toward fulfilling biblical promises of Greater Israel ^[4].

Since 1967, Israel has established approximately 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, housing around 700,000 Jewish settlers, despite these being widely considered illegal under international law—a claim Israel disputes ^[5]. These settlements are a cornerstone of expansionist policies, often justified by historical and religious claims, and remain a major point of contention in Israeli-Palestinian relations ^[5].

Contemporary Expansionist Policies and Actions

In recent years, the concept of Greater Israel has gained renewed attention amid Israel’s military and political actions. The Israeli government, under leaders like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been accused of pursuing expansionist goals through settlement expansion and military operations. In May 2025, Israel approved 22 new Jewish settlements in the West Bank, the largest such expansion in decades, drawing condemnation from the Palestinian presidency as a "dangerous escalation" and warnings from groups like Peace Now that it further entrenches the occupation ^[5]. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a key advocate for settlement growth, has denied Palestinian land rights and aims to increase the settler population in the West Bank and East Jerusalem significantly ^[2].

Beyond the West Bank, there are growing calls from right-wing extremists and settler movements to re-establish settlements in Gaza, especially following the conflict that intensified after October 7, 2023. Events and rallies supported by ministers like Itamar Ben-Gvir have pushed for settling Gaza, with actions like forced displacement in northern Gaza raising concerns of ethnic cleansing, as admitted by former Israeli war minister Moshe Yaalon ^[1]. Additionally, Israel’s military incursions into Lebanon and Syria, particularly after the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime in 2024, have fueled speculation about broader territorial ambitions. Israeli forces have reached close to Damascus, and religious ceremonies by Orthodox Israelis in occupied Syrian territory signal symbolic claims to these areas ^[1].

Broader Geopolitical Implications

Critics argue that these actions align with a long-term "Greater Israel" plan, which some claim extends beyond Palestine to include parts of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and even swaths of Saudi Arabia and Iraq, as suggested by biblical interpretations and statements from Israeli officials ^[6][2]. For instance, Smotrich has publicly called for Israel’s borders to reach Damascus, reflecting maximalist territorial aspirations ^[6]. Projects like the proposed Ben Gurion Canal through central Gaza are also cited as potential economic motivations for clearing Palestinian populations under the guise of military necessity ^[2].

Israel’s actions have been met with international criticism, with accusations of genocidal expansionism and violations of international law, particularly in Gaza, where military campaigns have caused significant civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction ^[6][2]. The banning of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from operating in Israel and occupied territories in 2024 further complicates humanitarian aid and Palestinian refugee status, seen by some as a move to erase Palestinian claims to land ^[2]. Meanwhile, Israel insists that operations in Syria are temporary, aimed at preventing resistance groups from gaining ground, a stance echoed by U.S. officials ^[1].

Conclusion

Zionist expansion plans in the Middle East, often encapsulated by the "Greater Israel" concept, blend historical and religious narratives with modern geopolitical strategies. From the post-1948 territorial gains to the ongoing settlement expansions in the West Bank and calls for re-settling Gaza, these plans continue to shape Israel’s policies and regional dynamics. While Israel maintains that many of its actions are driven by security needs, critics view them as part of a broader agenda of territorial annexation and demographic control, exacerbating conflicts and drawing international scrutiny. The evolving situation in Syria and Lebanon suggests that the ambitions of Greater Israel remain a potent, if contested, force in Middle Eastern politics.

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• https://mondoweiss.net/2024/12/inside-greater-israel-myths-and-truths-behind-the-long-time-zionist-fantasy/    
• https://www.fairobserver.com/politics/the-greater-israel-plan-has-a-colossal-reach/      
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zionism  
• https://www.paradigmshift.com.pk/greater-israel/  
• https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1j5954edlno   
• https://www.newarab.com/opinion/myth-greater-israel-drives-zionist-genocidal-expansionism