Beyond the Two-State Solution: Rethinking Israel's Boundaries

As the grandson of Holocaust survivors, my connection to Israel is deeply personal. My grandparents were both from Lodz Poland, enduring unimaginable horrors, dreaming of a Jewish state where they could live in safety and dignity. Today, that dream is a reality, yet Israel remains under constant threat. Its historical claims to the land are not just political; they are rooted in thousands of years of Jewish presence, resilience, and faith.

Israel’s commitment to security is not merely for its own survival but for regional stability. Without firm control over areas like Gaza, Israel and the Jewish diaspora face heightened risks from groups that seek its destruction. The scrutiny placed on Israel's rightful actions to defend their territory by the global media is like a blowtorch that is not applied to despotic regimes where awareness is needed most.

The alarming rise in antisemitism here in Australia has left many in our Jewish community feeling unsafe. Incidents of harassment, vandalism, and open hostility have surged to levels not seen in decades. Schools, synagogues, and businesses require increased security, and many Jewish Australians now seriously consider making Aliyah - not just out of love for Israel, but out of a growing sense of insecurity in this country that Jews for generations have lived in peace and stability. Whilst this is a sad state of affairs for Jewish Australians, it does serve to strengthen our spiritual bond with Israel and yearn for a place where our identity is considered the norm.

Securing Gaza is not just an Israeli imperative—it has global implications. A de-radicalized, demilitarized Gaza would not only protect Israeli civilians from constant rocket fire and terrorist incursions but also send a strong message that terrorism will not be tolerated. It would contribute to regional peace, safeguard Jewish communities worldwide, and ensure that Israel remains a sanctuary for Jews everywhere. There is no other country on Earth that would tolerate or accept the threat of annihilation from their neighbouring countries, let alone the refusal to acknowledge their very existence.

Israel's Borders: A Biblical and Historical Perspective

The question of Israel's borders is complex and multifaceted. A biblical and historical perspective offers insights into the Jewish people's connection to the land. Deuteronomy 30:4-5 states, "Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back. He will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you will take possession of it." This verse, among others, highlights the enduring connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel.

Rabbi Yosef Artziel, from the settlement of Kedumim, sees the Hamas attack on October 7th 2023 as a "revolutionary moment," suggesting that it may be time for Israel to reclaim territories in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). This perspective aligns with the views of figures like former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, who advocated for an expanded Israel, supporting the settler movement and aligning with historical and biblical definitions of Jewish land.

The debate over Israel's borders also involves the Law of Return, which grants Jews worldwide the right to immigrate to Israel and become citizens. This law is seen by some as crucial for maintaining a Jewish majority in Israel, while others criticize it for potentially displacing existing populations.

The Hamas Factor and the Relentless Search for Security

Hamas's rise and horrific actions have ripped open the already raw wound of Israel's borders and security. The blood-soaked attacks of October 7th, 2023, weren't just a wake-up call; they were a brutal assault on Israel's very right to exist, exposing the nation's vulnerability and the ever-present threat of annihilation.

For many of us, the path to Israel's long-term safety, stability, and security is clear: defensible and recognized borders. This means expanding settlements in Judea and Samaria, reclaiming what is rightfully ours, and incentivizing the Law of Return, welcoming home every Jew who yearns for the safety and embrace of their ancestral land. The question of who are the indigenous inhabitants of this land, the historical truth etched into biblical maps, is not just a matter of debate; it's the very foundation of our claim.

The Indigenous Truth and the Ties That Bind

The undeniable truth is that the Jewish people are the indigenous inhabitants of the land of Israel. The Torah and the history of our Jewish people have borne witness to this sacred bond. Judea and Samaria, the so-called West Bank, are not just disputed territories; they are the heartland of our heritage, etched into our very DNA. The Torah, in its various geographical definitions of the Land of Israel, speaks of a deep and unbroken connection between our people and this land. It's a connection that transcends mere politics; it's a spiritual and historical imperative.

The truth is under attack. The narrative of Palestinian nationalism, while dominant today, conveniently ignores the historical record. We are seeing a groundswell of fanatical support for this historical distortion by the left-wing elements within Australian society as we speak. We need to remind ourselves of Golda Meir's courageous words in 1969, that there is no such thing as Palestinians. Such words reflect a historical reality that I believe in with every fiber of my being. It's a reality too often swept under the rug for political expediency.

The Quran's silence on Jerusalem and Palestine is another inconvenient fact. While some may try to twist and turn scripture to fit their narrative, the Islamic text itself does not support the claim of Jerusalem as the eternal capital of a Palestinian state.

In the end, the question of Israel's borders is not just a political issue; it's a matter of survival. It's about securing our future, protecting our heritage, and ensuring that the dream of a Jewish homeland, a beacon of hope and refuge, will never be extinguished. The ongoing conflict with Hamas, the global surge in antisemitism, make it clear: we cannot afford to compromise on our security. Every time Israel's right to exist, its historical and biblical connection to the land, is questioned and challenged on the world stage, it emboldens those who seek to harm us. It fuels the fire of hatred that can manifest in horrific acts of violence, from rockets raining down on our homes in Israel to vandalism and attacks on synagogues, Jewish schools and homes here in Australia.