Israel’s political debate over territorial expansion intensified after the country’s main opposition leader openly backed the idea of Israel extending its control far beyond its current borders.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said that he supports Israeli expansion based on Zionist ideology and biblical interpretations, stating that such views form the foundation of his political stance.
Speaking at a news conference, Lapid said he favors any plan that would provide Jewish people with what he described as a vast, secure homeland for future generations.
Lapid argued that Zionism is rooted in religious scripture and claimed that Israel’s territorial mandate is derived from the Bible.
He said the biblical borders of the land are clearly defined, adding that these religious boundaries shape his views on Israel’s rightful territory. However, he acknowledged that practical concerns related to security and state policy could limit how far such ambitions could realistically go, without offering further details.
His comments came days after Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, sparked regional backlash by suggesting Israel has the right to control large parts of the Middle East.
In an interview, Huckabee said he would support Israel taking control of territory stretching across the region, remarks that quickly drew condemnation from several countries.
During the interview, Huckabee was questioned about biblical references describing land promised to the descendants of Abraham, extending from the Euphrates River to the Nile River.
He responded by saying he would have no objection if Israel claimed the entire area, which would include present-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and parts of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry strongly criticized the remarks, calling them extremist and unacceptable, and urged the United States government to clarify its official position. In response, a spokesperson for the US Embassy said Huckabee’s comments had been taken out of context and stressed that there had been no change in US policy toward Israel.
Huckabee, who was nominated as ambassador by Donald Trump in 2024, is known for opposing a two-state solution and has repeatedly rejected claims that Israel is illegally occupying the West Bank.