Muammar Gaddafi on Israel
TL;DR
Muammar Gaddafi vehemently rejected Israel's existence for much of his rule but later proposed a single binational state solution.
Key Points
He called Israelis and Palestinians 'idiots' for pursuing separate states during an Arab summit in Algiers in March 2005.
During the 1973 Yom Kippur War, he sent a large Libyan expeditionary force, including armored units and Mirage 5 squadrons, to assist Egypt against Israel.
In May 1993, he sent a large delegation of Libyan pilgrims to perform a pilgrimage at holy sites in Jerusalem as a gesture aimed at improving ties with Israel.
Summary
For the majority of his time leading Libya, Muammar Gaddafi was a staunch opponent of Israel, viewing it as an imperialist entity that must be destroyed through collective Arab action. He adamantly called for the annihilation of the 'Zionist enemy' and refused to recognize the State of Israel, stating that only a Palestinian state stretching from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean would be acceptable. This hostility was demonstrated through actions such as funding Palestinian militant groups like the Black September Organization, which was responsible for the 1972 Munich massacre.
However, Gaddafi's position evolved, particularly as he sought improved diplomatic standing with the West and the end of sanctions against Libya. This shift led him to propose the 'Isratine' concept—a single, binational democratic state for both Jews and Palestinians—which he described as the 'final solution' for the region. Reports even suggested that in his final days during the 2011 revolt, he attempted to secretly seek diplomatic assistance from Israel to halt Western military action against his regime.
Key Quotes
"as long as I am alive I will never recognise either an Israeli state or a Palestinian one,"
"Don't be angry, Abu Mazen, but the Palestinians are idiots and the Israelis are idiots."
Frequently Asked Questions
For much of his 42-year rule, Muammar Gaddafi maintained a position of strong rejection toward Israel, equating it with Zionism and imperialism that needed to be eliminated. He frequently called for armed struggle to liberate Palestine and stated he would never recognize an Israeli state, according to reports from 2002.
Yes, his position showed an evolution, particularly as he sought better relations with the US and the lifting of sanctions. This pragmatic shift led him to propose the 'Isratine' solution for a single binational state in the 2000s.
Gaddafi later argued against the two-state solution, instead preaching the minority view that the only viable path was for both peoples to live together in one state, which he dubbed 'Isratine.' He articulated this view in a 2009 New York Times op-ed.