Let the UN Vote — Israel Will Build

As the United Nations Security Council convenes this week to vote on recognizing a Palestinian state, a move that even some of Israel’s allies are poised to support, the air in Jerusalem is thick with anticipation and resolve. This is not the first time the international community has sought to impose its vision on the Jewish homeland, nor will it be the last. Yet, in the face of such diplomatic maneuvers, Israel stands at a crossroads, contemplating responses that could reshape the landscape of Judea and Samaria. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the possibility of Israel declaring sovereignty over these biblical heartlands, either as a reactive measure or a preemptive strike. Such a bold declaration would affirm Israel’s eternal claim to the land of our forefathers, from the hills of Hebron to the valleys of Samaria. But wisdom counsels caution, and recent voices from Israel’s right-wing pundits, including the insightful Hagai Segal and his son Amit Segal, urge a different path, one that prioritizes deeds over declarations. While I am not yet certain whether or not I support the path they propose, it definitely warrants discussion.

The Segals’ concern is rooted in geopolitical reality. Declaring sovereignty outright could provoke a backlash from moderate Sunni nations bound by the Abraham Accords, those fragile yet transformative alliances that have brought unprecedented peace and cooperation to the region. Countries like the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco have invested in normalization with Israel, seeing in it a bulwark against Iranian aggression and a gateway to economic prosperity. A formal annexation might force these partners to react harshly, perhaps even withdrawing from the accords to appease domestic pressures or pan-Arab sentiments. The Segal’s warn that such a move could unravel the delicate web of regional stability that Israel has painstakingly woven since 2020. Instead, they invoke the timeless adage attributed to David Ben-Gurion: “It’s not what the Arabs say, but what the Israelis do.” In other words, let rhetoric echo in the halls of the UN while Israel determinedly creates irreversible facts on the ground.

The approach of the Segals echoes the pioneering spirit of Israel’s founders, who built kibbutzim and moshavim amid hostility, turning deserts into gardens, and dreams into reality. Rather than grand proclamations that invite international condemnation, Israel should focus on tangible actions that strengthen its hold on Judea and Samaria. One provocative suggestion from these circles is to reclassify all of Area A – currently under Palestinian security and administrative control – into Area C, placing it fully under Israeli jurisdiction. The world, preoccupied with labels like “occupation” or “statehood,” pays little heed to the arcane distinctions of Oslo’s zoning. As long as it isn’t branded as “Israel proper,” such shifts go unnoticed in global corridors. But for Israelis, this would mean enhanced security, reduced terror threats, and the integration of strategic lands into the national fabric.

I suggest that a more immediate and symbolic initiative could be the announcement of upgrading Highway 60, the ancient north-south artery threading through Judea and Samaria, from its current two-lane “goat-path” to a modern four-lane highway. This road, often called the “Patriarchs’ Way,” is steeped in history: it traces the footsteps of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, linking sacred sites like Bethlehem, Hebron, and Nablus. In their compelling documentary, “Route 60: The Biblical Highway,” former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo illuminate its profound significance, portraying it not merely as asphalt but as a lifeline connecting Israel’s past to its future. Expanding this highway would symbolize Israel’s commitment to development and connectivity, greatly easing travel for residents, boosting commerce, and asserting presence without the overt politics of sovereignty. It would transform a relic of underdevelopment into a beacon of progress, much like the infrastructure miracles that turned Tel Aviv from sand dunes into a tech hub.

Complementing this, Israel should declare the construction of four new towns – veritable cities – along this revitalized corridor. Imagine bustling communities rising in the shadow of ancient hills, housing thousands of families, schools, synagogues, and industries. These settlements would not be mere outposts but thriving centers, drawing young Israelis to the heartland with affordable housing and opportunities. Places like a new city near Ariel, another by Gush Etzion, one overlooking the Jordan Valley, and a fourth strengthening the seam line in the west, each strategically placed to enhance security and demographic balance. Such moves would embody Ben-Gurion’s ethos: while the UN debates fictional borders, Israel plants roots that no resolution can uproot.

Critics may decry this as “creeping annexation,” but history teaches that facts endure where words fade. The Abraham Accords survived the Gaza war precisely because they were built on mutual interests, not fragile sentiments. By acting discreetly yet decisively, Israel safeguards these alliances while advancing its vital interests. The moderate Arab states, focused on their own stability, are unlikely to sever ties over infrastructure projects that pose no direct threat. Meanwhile, the Palestinian leadership, mired in corruption and division, offers no viable alternative; their “state” remains a mirage, sustained by international aid and anti-Israel rhetoric.

In the end, Israel’s strength lies not in counter-resolutions but in the unyielding will of its people. As Ben-Gurion once proclaimed, “The State of Israel will prove itself not by material wealth, not by military power or technical achievement, but by its moral character and human values.” Yet, he also understood the necessity of action. By forging ahead with Highway 60’s expansion and new towns, Israel honors this legacy – building, innovating, and securing the land promised to our ancestors. Let the Security Council vote; Israel will build. And in that building, we find our true sovereignty, unassailable and eternal.

Good things,

Ari Sacher