If, however, the Jews had not asserted their claim to Eretz Yisrael following the liberalization of Western society, the nations of the world and the Arab occupiers would have been able to undermine the Jewish claim by saying: “If you are really the rightful owner, why did you not bring your claim as soon as your were able?” The Jewish claim would have been severely damaged. Therefore, contrary to the belief that Zionism was premature absent Moshiach’s arrival, it was important, in light of the Torah’s emphasis on the Jewish legal claim to Eretz Yisrael, that the Jews bring their claim as soon as possible.
This goes for the individual as well. Every Jew who fulfills the mitzvah of aliyah is declaring for the historical record: “This Land belongs to the Jewish People.” Those who do not make aliyah, even though they are able to do so, effectively relinquish their claim and weaken the Jewish national claim. Although the lifestyle may be different, the prize is worth minor discomforts. According to the Otzar HaChaim, when Yaakov slept at Har HaMoriah and rested his head on a rock, he said to himself: “A stone of Eretz Yisrael is more precious to me than the pillows and cushions of other lands.”
The Torah’s emphasis on the legal claim also indicates the responsibility of the Israeli government to maintain Jewish possession of Eretz Yisrael. Banning Jews from parts of the Land – by disengagement, convergence, Oslo agreements, division of Jerusalem, or any surrender of Judea and Samaria – is a repudiation of the Jewish claim.
Later generations of Jews will have a harder time claiming Eretz Yisrael if their forefathers so readily abandon it. The government of Israel is the Jewish People’s legal guardian and advocate. If it is to represent the Jews before the world court, it must assert their claim to Eretz Yisrael on an absolute basis regardless of political convenience or another party’s claims.