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“The war that is being fought now is not the war in Gaza,” says Einat Wilf, former Israeli Knesset member. “It’s the war that the Arab world and especially the Arabs of this area, now known as Palestinians, have been waging for the total purpose of no Sovereign Jewish State anywhere between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.” With this powerful statement, Wilf captures the essence of her argument: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not about territory, settlements, or grievances but an entrenched rejection of Jewish sovereignty.

Wilf’s perspective is unapologetically Zionist, asserting that the crux of the conflict lies in Palestinian rejectionism rather than historical events or external provocations. Through her lens, the century-long struggle is a “war of existence”—a battle over the right of Jews to establish and maintain a state in their ancestral homeland. Here, we’ll explore Wilf’s key arguments and the implications they present for this enduring conflict.


A Century-Long Rejection of Sovereignty

Wilf identifies the core issue as a “rejection of Jewish sovereignty.” She argues that, since the early 20th century, Arabs in the Levant—now identified as Palestinians—have consistently opposed the establishment of a Jewish state. This is not, she contends, a conflict fueled by Israeli policies or historical injustices but an ideological resistance to Jewish self-determination.

She supports her claims by citing historical moments when Palestinian leaders rejected statehood proposals because they required coexistence with Israel. For instance, the 1947 UN Partition Plan offered both peoples a state, but the Palestinian leadership opted for war instead. To Wilf, this refusal demonstrates a recurring prioritization of opposing Jewish sovereignty over establishing their own state.

As Wilf puts it, “For the Jews, the top priority is to establish Jewish sovereignty in the land, and for the Arabs, the top priority is to resist to the last the establishment of Jewish sovereignty in any part of the land.”


The Weaponization of Gaza and Symbolism of “Liberation”

Wilf’s analysis of Gaza further exemplifies her thesis. Rather than developing Gaza into a thriving territory after Israel’s 2005 withdrawal, Hamas turned it into a military base aimed at “liberating Palestine from the River to the Sea.” For Wilf, this underscores her belief that the conflict’s driving force is not a quest for autonomy but a desire to dismantle the Jewish state.


Identity Built on Negation

Wilf’s critique extends to Palestinian identity itself, which she characterizes as constructed in opposition to Zionism. She argues that the adoption of the term “Palestinian”—a colonial designation originally linked to Jewish ties to the land—was a deliberate attempt to erase Jewish connections to the territory.

“The word ‘Palestine’ was merely the Christian Roman colonial name given to the geography where the Jewish Kingdom once stood,” Wilf explains. This framing positions the Palestinian identity as inherently oppositional, a narrative Wilf sees as central to prolonging the conflict. She even suggests that, should the war against Jewish sovereignty end, Palestinians might adopt a new identity unlinked to this struggle.


The Globalization of Anti-Zionism

Wilf is particularly critical of the modern global pro-Palestine movement, which she describes as “the respectable anti-Zionism of today.” She equates anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism, arguing that it has become a vessel for demonizing Israel through accusations of apartheid, colonialism, and even genocide.

She draws a striking comparison to The Lord of the Rings, likening anti-Zionism to the corruptive power of the One Ring. “If not fought against,” she warns, “it destroys the society itself.” This ideology, Wilf claims, is spreading through Western academia, bolstered by state actors like Iran and Qatar, which she labels as key financiers of global anti-Zionism.


The Arab World’s Shift and the Abraham Accords

While critical of past Arab attitudes toward Jews, Wilf sees hope in the shifting dynamics of the Arab world. She views the Abraham Accords as evidence that Arab nations can embrace prosperity without opposing Zionism. For Wilf, these agreements mark a potential turning point, challenging the narrative that opposition to Israel is essential to Arab identity.


A Path to Peace

Wilf acknowledges that peace is possible but only if Palestinians abandon their goal of erasing Israel. “The central idea of opposing Jewish sovereignty must die first,” she argues. This, in her view, requires a radical rethinking of Palestinian identity and leadership.

She also sees a growing fatigue among Arab nations, suggesting they have had “enough” of this century-long war. However, until this ideological shift occurs, Wilf remains skeptical of any lasting resolution.


Conclusion: A Call to Confront Dangerous Ideologies

Einat Wilf’s perspective offers a provocative and unyielding Zionist lens on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She frames it as a battle for existence rather than policy, history, or land. Her critique of global anti-Zionism as a modern guise for anti-Semitism is equally forceful, highlighting the dangers of ideological corruption.

Ultimately, Wilf’s analysis serves as both a warning and a call to action. She urges Western societies to confront anti-Zionist rhetoric and challenges Palestinians to redefine their identity beyond negating Israel. Peace, she contends, is achievable but only if the foundational rejection of Jewish sovereignty is dismantled.


Glossary of Key Terms

  • Zionism: A movement for the re-establishment and the development and protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel.
  • Sovereignty: Supreme power or authority; the authority of a state to govern itself.
  • Mandate: An authorization granted to a member of the League of Nations to govern a former Turkish territory.
  • The Levant: The geographic region encompassing the eastern Mediterranean including Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.
  • Dei: A term in Islamic law that refers to protected non-Muslim people. It has historically defined their status and rights in Islamic societies.
  • Abraham Accords: A series of diplomatic agreements normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab countries, initially the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
  • Anti-Zionism: Opposition to the idea of a Jewish state or, more specifically, to the political movement of Zionism. In contemporary discourse, it often encompasses criticism of the state of Israel.
  • Anti-Semitism: Hostility to or prejudice against Jewish people.
  • Philosemitism: A positive interest in and love for Jewish people and Jewish culture.
  • Illiberal Left: A political faction within the left that is not aligned with traditional liberal values and often exhibits intolerance towards dissenting views.
  • Placard Strategy: Wilf’s term for the process by which Israel, Zionism, and the Star of David are equated with various evils in order to create a utopian vision where these elements must be eradicated.
  • Utopia: An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect, especially in respect of social, political, and moral aspects.
  • Red Flag: Refers to the symbol of the left. Wilf uses it to describe how the Palestinian cause has become a symbol of utopianism and resistance, similar to the symbolic power of the red flag in socialist movements.
  • The River to the Sea: A slogan calling for a Palestinian state that encompasses the entire area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, implying the displacement of the state of Israel.

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