TEL AVIV (Realist English). Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said he supports the idea of expanding Israel’s territory to its “biblical” scope when security conditions permit, aligning himself in principle with calls for a broader national footprint.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Lapid was asked about comments made by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who recently suggested that Israel has a religious right to the land stretching between the Euphrates and the Nile. Lapid, leader of the centrist Yesh Atid party, said he favors a “large, broad, strong land” that ensures long-term security for future generations.
“As broad as possible,” Lapid said when pressed on how far such expansion could extend. He added that any change to Israel’s borders would be subject to “considerations of security and policy and time,” but indicated that, in theory, Israeli territory could extend as far as Iraq.
Lapid argued that Zionism is rooted in biblical tradition, saying the Jewish claim to the land is anchored in scripture. “Zionism is based on the Bible,” he said. “Our mandate over the land of Israel is biblical.”
The remarks mark a notable emphasis on religious-historical claims from a politician who has previously expressed support for a two-state solution with the Palestinians. Lapid has also criticized European countries that recognized the State of Palestine last year, describing the move as a “reward for terror.”
Huckabee’s original comments were made in an interview with US commentator Tucker Carlson, where he said it “would be fine” if Israel were to take control of broader Middle Eastern territories, later clarifying that such remarks were hyperbolic but could warrant discussion if Israel were attacked and responded militarily.
Lapid has led the parliamentary opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since early 2023. His latest statements add to an increasingly charged debate within Israel and internationally over territorial claims, security doctrine and the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
