A delegation of senators and members of Congress from several U.S. states arrived in Israel and Samaria on Sunday for a visit hosted by Samaria governor Yossi Dagan.
The visit comes amid threats of sanctions and as part of an effort to advance legislation in U.S. states recognizing Judea and Samaria.
The delegation is headed by Jason Rapert, founder and president of the National Association of State Legislators (NACL), and includes elected officials from Alaska, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Montana, Minnesota, Alabama, and Missouri.
The lawmakers visited the State's Lookout in Peduel, which Dagan renamed in honor of President Donald Trump, where they viewed the Samaria region. They received a briefing on Jewish communities in the area, its strategic and historical significance, and recent political developments in relations between Israel and the United States.
In recent years, members of the delegation have promoted legislation recognizing Judea and Samaria, including measures requiring official documents in U.S. states to use the term “Judea and Samaria" rather than “the West Bank."
During the tour, Minnesota State Senator Paul Utke announced that he would work to advance legislation strengthening recognition of Judea and Samaria and replacing the term “the West Bank." Referring to the initiative, he said: “I would be very happy to do that. I have good friends in the legislature who will be part of this team. We will do everything we can."
Addressing residents of Judea and Samaria, Utke added: “Everyone’s eyes are on you, and we need to do everything we can to support you. We must keep moving forward because you are doing a great job here. I know you do it because this is your home, but you also do it for all of us, and we appreciate that."
U.S. Representative Sarah Vance of Alaska said: “I intend to file the bill declaring Judea and Samaria as Israel’s sovereign biblical lands. Being here and being able to see Samaria in the context of Israel is something you cannot see on a map or read about in a book. So thank you for allowing us to come and experience it for ourselves."
U.S. Representative Josh Bonner of Georgia said: “In Georgia, we support recognition of Judea and Samaria. And after arriving here, it’s even more important. I fully commit that the Georgia legislature will do everything possible to bring about this recognition, and so that current and future generations understand the importance of it."
Dagan thanked the delegation and said: “Thank you very much. We stand together. We are going to win together, for Israel and for the United States. Recognition of Judea and Samaria and sovereignty over Judea and Samaria are security for Israel, the United States, and all Western culture. Thank you very much for your cooperation and for your partnership."
Dagan maintains close ties with the National Association of State Legislators and other lawmakers' organizations in the United States. The visit is part of a broader effort to promote recognition of Samaria and Judea and Samaria among elected officials across the United States and to translate political and public support into concrete action at the state level.
The campaign has already produced several developments. Tennessee approved a law requiring official state documents to use the term “Judea and Samaria" rather than “the West Bank." Similar legislation or resolutions have advanced in Arizona and West Virginia, while legislation in Florida has reached an advanced stage.
Bills have also been formally introduced in Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, and Georgia, with supporters predicting that legislation could be adopted in as many as 10 additional states this year.
Rapert, president of the U.S. National Association of State Legislators, said: “Representative Mindy McAllindon from Arkansas passed the first legislation saying that in Arkansas they will no longer call Judea and Samaria ‘the West Bank,’ and Chris Todd and David Livingston passed similar resolutions in Tennessee and Arizona. We promise to keep taking it forward step by step, including in Alabama. We are committed to working with you, and we are fighting for you."