What are the different interpretations of the slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" and why is it controversial?

The slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" generates intense debate due to vastly different interpretations. Many Jewish people and Zionists view it as an implicit call for Israel's destruction and potential threat to Jewish existence, since it references the entirety of historical Palestine from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. However, Palestinian advocates and anti-Zionists argue the phrase represents a legitimate expression of desire for Palestinian emancipation and freedom, without necessarily implying violence or genocide. They contend that the slogan shouldn't be interpreted through the lens of those who oppose Palestinian liberation. This disagreement reflects deeper tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where the same words carry dramatically different meanings depending on one's political perspective and historical understanding of the region.