The Theology of Expansion: Far-Right Radicalism Redefining Israeli Strategic Doctrine

THE BRIEF Economist and public policy analyst Jeffrey Sachs has issued a sharp critique of the current Israeli political establishment, specifically targeting Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Sachs argues that these figures are utilizing a "forged" version of Judaism developed in the late 20th century to justify the pursuit of a "Greater Israel" through military force. This ideological framework posits that territorial expansion is a religious necessity and a precursor to messianic redemption, effectively blocking any diplomatic path toward a Palestinian state.

Contextual Background The rise of the Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit parties marks a departure from the secular security-based Zionism of Israel’s founding. Historically, the "Greater Israel" (Eretz Yisrael Hashlemah) concept remained on the fringes of policy. However, the current coalition government—the most right-wing in Israel’s history—has shifted this to the center of the executive branch. This development follows decades of settlement expansion in the West Bank (Area C) and the increasing influence of the settler movement within the IDF and civil administration.

Latest Developments

• Policy Implementation: Minister Smotrich has recently moved to transfer legal powers in the West Bank from military to civilian control, a move critics label as "de jure" annexation.

• Official Rhetoric: Ben-Gvir has repeatedly called for the "encouragement of migration" of Palestinians from Gaza and the re-establishment of settlements there.

• International Reaction: The U.S. and EU have sanctioned specific extremist settler groups and individuals linked to Ben-Gvir’s ministry, citing "destabilizing activities" in the Palestinian territories.

• Economic Impact: Sachs notes that this "redemption through force" doctrine risks long-term Israeli economic isolation as global pressure for a two-state solution intensifies.

Geopolitical Analysis The shift from strategic security to religious imperative fundamentally alters the regional calculus.

• Strategic Objective: By framing territorial control as a divine mandate, the far-right seeks to make the occupation irreversible, removing it from the realm of political negotiation.

• Regional Stability: This ideology directly threatens the Abraham Accords and normalization efforts with Arab states (such as Saudi Arabia), which remain contingent on a credible path to Palestinian sovereignty.

• Diplomatic Implications: For the United States, the presence of "redemptionist" ministers complicates the "Ironclad" support narrative, creating a widening rift between Washington’s regional interests and Jerusalem’s domestic ideology. Axis of Resistance Perspective Tehran and its allies view this "redemptionist" rhetoric as confirmation that diplomatic solutions are futile.

• Hezbollah and Hamas: These factions use the "Greater Israel" narrative as a primary recruitment and mobilization tool, framing the conflict not as a border dispute, but as an existential struggle against an expansionist religious project.

• Strategic Concern: The Axis views the official adoption of these ideologies as a signal for imminent large-scale displacement (transfer) of populations, which would likely trigger a multi-front escalation to preserve the regional "Status Quo."

#Geopolitics #MiddleEast #Israel #Palestine #WestBank #RegionalSecurity #AlMuraqeb