On the third anniversary of October 7, a bipartisan delegation of US state senators and legislators visited the new settlement communities in northern Shomron for the first time, expressing support for Israel and the settlement enterprise. The group, hosted by Shomron Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, included lawmakers from Florida, Illinois, Texas, Indiana, Missouri and Alabama.
The delegation toured "Mirpeset HaMedinah" (State Balcony) in Peduel, visited the new yishuv Eival, established this past summer as part of the Shomron Council's connectivity plan, and stopped at Yehoshua's Altar and Yosef Lookout, overlooking Kever Yosef. The tour included briefings on Jewish settlement in Shomron and the area's strategic and historical significance. Florida State Representative Chase Tramont told the residents: "You are the front line."
Following the tour, the delegation members are expected to advance legislation in their home states. Among the measures: bills recognizing the name "Judea and Samaria" and requiring official state documents to use that term exclusively instead of "West Bank." The lawmakers also plan to promote anti-BDS legislation barring entities that boycott businesses in Judea and Samaria or in Israel from conducting business or other relations with the state.
Dagan told the group: "On the anniversary of October 7, you came here to stand with Israel and strengthen settlement in Shomron. This is an important statement of partnership and hope. Shomron support crosses party lines in America, and now we are working to translate that support into legislation and action. Here in Eival you see the whole story: Yehoshua's Altar, testifying to our roots in this land, and beside it a new yishuv where families are building the future. Against those who try to boycott us and undermine our right to the land, we are building yishuvim and expanding the circle of support for Israel. Our goal is clear: recognition of Judea and Samaria, protection of settlement from boycotts, and application of Israeli sovereignty."
Florida State Representative Chase Tramont addressed the use of the name Judea and Samaria in legislation: "I would define it as a restoration of the original names. Where does the term 'Jew' come from? From Judea. You can't take that away from it."
Tramont added: "We teach this history in Florida. The name change was simply an attempt to erase the Jewish heritage and connection to this land. As far as we're concerned, we're not interested in letting that happen."
Texas State Representative Tom Oliverson also addressed the lawmakers' efforts to recognize the area's historical name: "There is no country called 'the West Bank.' It's a kind of artificial geopolitical construct of the UN. President Trump would call it 'fake news.' There is no West Bank. There is Judea and Samaria. This land is part of Israel. I expect to pass legislation. I'm part of a movement of 50 states in the United States to pass legislation that will remove the term 'West Bank' from our language and use the terms Judea and Samaria, which are the geographically and historically accurate terms for the place where we're standing now."
Alabama State Senator Keith Kelley, visiting Judea and Samaria for the first time, said the tour changed how he views the region: "This is my first time here, and I love the country. Now it just came to life for me, coming here and seeing it in person. Not just reading about it, but seeing it and meeting the people. The people completely changed my perspective."
Kelley added: "This land definitely belongs to the Jews and to Israel. Seeing what's happening here connects to the history of this land, and I think it causes us to look from a global perspective and recognize what this really is."
Dagan said: "I think this connection is so important. Support for Shomron crosses party lines in the United States. This connection is very powerful for Israel and also for the United States, because we share the same values and understand that we have the same enemy and the same mission. When we fight for sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and for recognition of Judea and Samaria, we are fighting for our shared future, of the United States and of Israel. Together we need to be one army, and what we're doing today is creating our team to fight for justice in Judea and Samaria, for our justice and our security forever."
The Shomron Regional Council maintains close ties with US legislative organizations. The visit is part of broader efforts to advance legislation in approximately 16 US states, coordinated with Yossi Dagan and the council's foreign relations unit.
The efforts are already yielding significant achievements: Tennessee passed a law requiring official state documents to use the term "Judea and Samaria" exclusively instead of "West Bank." Arizona passed a resolution on the matter, and in West Virginia and Florida the legislation is in very advanced stages. According to estimates, ten additional states are expected to pass the law this year.
In Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma and Georgia, bills have already been formally introduced.
