In his 1993 book A Place Among the Nations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lays out his political and ideological vision regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, justifying Israeli control over Palestinian land through historical and religious narratives while rejecting Palestinian sovereignty.

Netanyahu claims that Jews have an exclusive historical and religious right to Palestine, citing biblical texts and selective historical accounts. He goes as far as to describe Palestinian cities, such as Nablus, as ancient Jewish settlements, erasing Palestinian identity and presence from the historical record.

Throughout the book, Netanyahu vilifies the Palestinian leadership, accusing it of manipulating history and rejecting Israeli occupation. He categorically opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state, claiming that any form of Palestinian sovereignty would pose an existential threat to Israel. Instead, he advocates for a system where Palestinians live under Israeli control, with limited civil rights but no political autonomy.

Military strength remains at the core of Netanyahu’s ideology. He argues that Israel’s survival depends on military deterrence, portraying Arab societies as inherently undemocratic and chaotic. He insists that peace with the Arab world is unattainable under current conditions and that any concession would only embolden Palestinian resistance.

On the issue of the occupied West Bank—referred to in the book as “Judea and Samaria”—Netanyahu firmly opposes any withdrawal or halt to settlement expansion, portraying Israeli control as essential for security and national survival. His position aligns with extreme Zionist ideologies that aim to reshape the demographic and political landscape through aggressive settlement policies and military dominance.

Netanyahu’s views mirror those of far-right figures like Bezalel Smotrich, who openly advocate for a “Greater Israel” with no room for Palestinian sovereignty. While Netanyahu often presents himself as a pragmatist, his core ideology remains rooted in expansionism and absolute control over Palestinian land.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority continues to adhere to the Oslo Accords, despite Netanyahu’s selective and self-serving application of the agreement. As Israeli settlement expansion accelerates and Palestinian land disappears under occupation, Palestinian resistance remains steadfast, navigating both Israeli repression and internal political challenges.