“Greater Israel” - Is it Still a Reality?
The notion of “Greater Israel” is discussed and debated often – even among Muslims. Muslims in general believe that Israel wants to take over territory from Muslim and Arab lands and expand its current country boundaries to form a bigger country called “Greater Israel”. This article briefly reviews the notion of “Greater Israel” and examines the facts behind Israel’s goal of establishing “Greater Israel”.
The goal behind establishing “Greater Israel” has been to settle Jews in the land as defined in the Jewish Hebrew Bible. In their holy book, it says in the chapter of Genesis (15:18-21):
“To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt as far as the great river the Euphrates…”
According to some accounts, that land encompasses the current state of Israel, areas belonging to the Palestinians, parts of Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Saudi-Arabia (See map below). Over the years, the definition of what “Greater Israel” encompasses has varied. For example, Rabbi Fischmann, member of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, declared in his testimony to the UN Special Committee of Enquiry on 9 July 1947: “The Promised Land extends from the River of Egypt up to the Euphrates, it includes parts of Syria and Lebanon.”
It is important to note that not all Israelis vehemently support the idea of establishing “Greater Israel”. Right from the beginning when Israel was created, there have been some philosophical differences between the various political parties that have ruled Israel. The liberals were more realistic and understood the need for both Jewish and Arab independent states. The more conservative ones on the other hand have all along pushed the idea of “Greater Israel” – a concept also referred to as ”Eretz Yisrael Ha-Shlema”. The term “Eretz Yisrael Ha-Shlema” is used in practice to refer to the territory or land originally occupied by all the tribes of Israel. However, having witnessed first hand the resistance by Muslims and Arabs as well as other realities, the conservatives too now have realized that their goal of “Greater Israel” may not be as easily achievable as they earlier thought it would be. Besides, the many accords and agreements between all parties over the past few years gives Muslims and Arabs some control of their land – something not in line with the goals of establishing “Greater Israel”.
The idea and goal therefore has lost steam over the past many years. Another reason for that has been that not many Jews immigrated to Israel. This was the fundamental goal of Zionism, i.e. all Jews living around the world will move to Israel. However, that has not happened. Jewish immigration has fallen dramatically over the past few years and only a third of all Jews actually live in Israel. While estimates differ, of the approximately 18 million Jews in the world, roughly one third live in the state of Israel, the other third lives in the United States and the remaining one third are dispersed all over the world.
There are challenges related to population as well. With the growing number of Arabs in the land of Palestine / Israel, this has obviously posed a big challenge for Israel. Israel’s challenge is that even if they take over all the land belonging to the Arabs and Muslims, they then become a multicultural and multi-religious state and no longer will be a pure Jewish state. For Israel to keep the state purely Jewish, it will have to settle more Jews in the land that they don’t currently control – but then, not enough Jews have immigrated to settle in the land that some hardliners would like to see as “Greater Israel”.
The fact that the idea has lost steam does not necessarily mean that everyone has abandoned the idea. On the contrary, there are many important politicians and figures who continue to be proponents of the notion of “Greater Israel”.
So, it seems that based on Israel’s public opinion, Israelis in general may not be looking for a “Greater Israel” in this generation. Former chief rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau said he had resigned himself to the possibility that realizing “Eretz Yisrael Hashlema” may not be attainable in this generation. “It is unreasonable to expect too much of one generation,” he said.
So, while “Greater Israel” may not become a reality anytime soon, the problems facing Palestinians requires an immediate resolution - not just to give them their land but also to alleviate the human suffering of the many who live in that area.
If you have more knowledge on the above you are welcome to share that with others. Post your comments below.
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February 26th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Nice knowledge based article (and site)…
February 26th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Contrary to your insinuations, Israel has shown no desire but to live within it’s borders and be safe from islamic extremists.
This article, therefore, is nothing more than a propaganda…
Typical for muslims.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Mark… did you even bother to READ the article?
Typical ignorance.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:55 am
It’s not time to show emotions but to see the facts, this is a realy nice article.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Asalamu Alaikum
The Zionist philosophy which preaches extremism and racism knows no boundaries.Do the Israelis and the world Jewish community even know that besides them Arabs and other Middle Eastern ethnic groups are also Semites.Their racism has made them so blind that they are unable to look at the true facts for themselves.Their dream of a Greater Israel will never materialize inshallah.If their torah says that god will grant them the land from Eygpt to Euphrates they have been promised for the tribes of Israel who are the actual Hebrews, not for these fake Jews.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
The problem with this article is to assume that their is such a thing as “Isreal.” It seems that the author has forgotten that this land is and has always been called “Palastine.” There will never be peace without Justice and as muslims we do not have to turn our backs and allow someone to steal from us. As an Ummah, we should be helping to establish “Justice” and not try to justify or accept this type of behavior from the theives or from even a muslim. Either we enjoin the right and forbid the wrong or we are not among the people ALLAH subhana wa t’ala calles “believers.” This is what we should be doing and for whatever it is worth…we have disappointed ALLAH and our brothers by being silent and allowing this tyrany to continue…May ALLAH give the muslims the strength to FEAR only ALLAH and not his creation and stand up and defend the oppressed wherever they may be. AMEEN
February 26th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
As Salaamu ‘alaikum
The concept of ‘Greater Israel’ (even for that matter ‘Israel’) is a Zionist precept (Xtian or ‘Jewish Zionism’) and not part of Judaism itself.
Refer: http://www.nkusa.org/
wa Salaam
February 27th, 2008 at 4:56 am
Assalam Alikum.
I have gone through the article, which is very informative and based on good research work.
In my opnion jews are human beings, and they reserve the right to live in the world. However,
we all as a human beings must give due consideration towrad equal rights of everyone, and must establish
rule of law and justice; so that rights of others are not suffered. If we all act upon on the rights of others and
establish rule of law and justice, then there would be no confilict among the peoples of different ethenic groups and
religions.
May God give all of us, wisdom and paitence.
Best Regards and well wishes for all human beings.
February 27th, 2008 at 5:34 am
assalamu alikom
i totally agree with Aaishah…. it is true that Allah promised the jews the promised land because they were the believers at that time…they were the “muslims” at that time…meaning they were the ones who believed in Allah and submitted to his will… after Prophet Muhammad pbuh came…and they chose to reject his message and they changed their teachings in the Torah that Allah gave them…they are no longer muslims and the promised land is for the believers only…… peace
February 27th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Salam every body!
I agree with the approach of Khalid (#8). Instead of keeping on roaming in history and fighting for what we were, why can’t we humans (everywhere every race and religion) learn to keep a more humanistic and wholistic view?
If God has given you something or taken something from you then you do not have to fight for it. Remember, whatever religion you follow, nothing can happen and nothing has happened without “his” will and wish. Having faith in God should also mean that. If you are fighting for or have a sense of insecurity for the possesion of God’s world, then my friend take it from me that you do not believe in “his” might. Whatever religion you follow you can call yourself a non-beleiver.
On the other hand if all of us start beleiving in only and only “him” then all this ill preserved “-isms” will get diluted by themselves and I am sure 100% of world problems, of this sort, will be solved.
I pray that at least one of the readers will try to understand the zist of above…insha allah.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:43 am
Assalam-alaikum,
The world is aware of this plan. No room for a Greater Israel. Let the zionist fall back to the actual jew Rabbis who can explain the teachings of their Torah in a simplified manner.
February 29th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Salaam , I think by putting aside blind prejudices , we can come to a closer understanding with Jews. It is a historic fact that the Second Rightly Guided Caliph conqured the Lands of Jews and the other caliphs ,maybe wrongly guided, ruled over it until very recently. If Islam was exported by way of good deeds , the Zionists would not have had an opportunity to exploit the emotions and feelings of the innocent jews to serve their purpose. Another fact is that our beloved prophet performed His prayers towards the Aqsa Mosque for only a limited time but Jews have performed their prayers towards it for more than two millenniums. Jerusalem for Jews is like Mecca for us as Muslims. We must try hard to come to a mutual agreement
March 4th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Well said Khalid, Well said Vivek. Dawud, nice one.
March 6th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
reasonable article,however greater Israel will not be established untill Messiah returns,2000 years ago Israel rejected her messiah [Jesus] as was foretold by the hebrew prophets [isiaha] naming just one,the presant and past conflicts between Jew and Arab are foretold in the Bible [genesis]and much of the torah ,the major and minor prophets etc.untill Israel recognises her sin and recognises J esus of nazereth as her messiah he will not return [matthew 23] however as the prophet Joel tells us ,they will, but only after they as a nation enters into a covenant with the antichrist which turns out to be disastorous for Israel and all mankind.WE are rapidly heading towards this time known biblically as Jacobs trouble,or harmeggedon.In response to aiesha the holy land has not always been known as palestine [don`t comment unless you are sure of your history].After the 70ad revolt of bar cochiba emporer hadrian banished the jews from Jerusalem renaming Jerusalem aelia palstine-meaning the capitol of the phillistines a hated enemy of Israel.this was obviously an attack on Jewish heritage.The bible is the oldest title deed on earth and yes it seeds that land to the sons of Israel [Jacob] not Ishmael.claims that the bible has been tampered with have been proven not to stand ie change one portion then it`s all got to be changed ie god seeds the land to Abraham then Isaac then Jacob then Joshua conqers the land then the Judges administer the tribes unquestionably in the land David sets his capitol in Jerusalem,the Jews get expelled from the land and taken to Assiria and babylon[judgement] they are then returned to the land after they repent from their idoletry.all in all the Land of Canaan is Given to the sons of Israel,anyone who disputes this must dismiss the Bible and secular history.Come Jesus Come
May 6th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
some people should learn to get rid of the idea that they are more special than others just because they are borned to certain races or religion. God created man equally and God given man land (Planet Earth) to be made prosper. and what do He get? this ungrateful creation of His named BOB who is arrogant of his knowledge and race…well cant you see whats happenning in Palastine right now? Babies and children murdered! People losing everything! It is obvious you BOB are just living in the past (of just knowing the history) but not acknowledging current facts. I am a mother of two and one thing I know is no matter who the land is promised to…no one should die like that.