What does “From the river to the sea” really mean? (Written by the Israel Digital Center. Date of writing: 24/06/25)

Exposing the intent behind one of the world’s most dangerous political slogans

"From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" is one of the most common chants at pro-Palestinian rallies worldwide. While some frame it as a call for “freedom,” “human rights,” or “coexistence,” in reality, it is a demand to erase Israel and its Jewish citizens.

Brief geographic definition

The phrase “from the river to the sea” refers to the territory between the Jordan River in the east and the Mediterranean Sea in the west. Geographically, this encompasses the internationally recognized State of Israel.

Short historical background

The slogan dates back to the 1960s, and it was used to demand the replacement of Israel with “Palestine.” The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) adopted it as a central goal in 1964.

Decades later,  the terrorist organization Hamas embraced it, calling for the eradication of Israel and the killing or expulsion of Jews living there.

What does the phrase mean in practice?

Despite attempts to rebrand it, the slogan’s meaning is clear and used by extremist groups and their supporters: a demand for a Palestinian state across the entire territory - a position that denies the right of the State of Israel to exist as a Jewish state and as negating the rights of Jews who live there.

The slogan is a declaration that rejects the existence of a sovereign state and the basic right of a people to live and defend themselves.

Contemporary use and practical dangers

The slogan reappears after major violent events and is often chanted at protests and amplified in the media. In many contexts, it is linked with calls to violence, the emboldening of extremist groups, and the justification of terrorism.

Therefore, hearing the phrase is not merely rhetorical: for some speakers, it expresses support for the removal or eradication of an entire population. For the State of Israel and its citizens, this is an existential issue: the slogan signals an intent to erase us. 

Legal and ethical implications

Calls that encourage violence or forcible displacement, just like "From the river to the sea", are considered incitement under many legal systems. Beyond legal considerations, using language that denies a people’s right to exist creates moral cover for harming innocent civilians. It is therefore essential to scrutinize both the words and their practical consequences.

Conclusion - why context matters

“From the river to the sea” may sound like a rallying cry or a slogan on protest signs. But when its history and contemporary use are examined, it is clear that the phrase carries an existential meaning directed at the State of Israel. Before adopting such a slogan, people should understand what it actually calls for - and resist normalizing an idea that, in practice, aims to eliminate a state and threaten its population.