What is Greater Israel?

The idea of 'Greater Israel'—a vision extending from the Nile to the Euphrates, encompassing the West Bank, Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syria—is no longer a fringe concept but a central pillar of Israeli policy and identity. Once dismissed as religious fanaticism, this maximalist vision has been normalized through decades of settlement expansion, military occupation, and political strategy. As historian Ayan Lustig explains, the idea emerged not from biblical literalism alone, but from a complex mix of secular nationalism, geopolitical ambition, and religious messianism. The Six-Day War of 1967 was the turning point: it gave Israel control of territories it claimed as historically Jewish, unleashing a movement that transformed ideological dreams into real political power. Despite early opposition from secular leaders like Ben-Gurion, the rise of Gush Emunim—a religious-nationalist settler movement—alongside the political ascent of Likud and figures like Netanyahu and Smotrich, has made annexation and permanent occupation the de facto policy. What began as a fringe vision is now embedded in Israeli statecraft, driven not just by ideology but by economic incentives, military logic, and the strategic use of fear. The result is a society under immense strain, stretched thin across multiple fronts, yet unwilling to relinquish control.