Haaretz's business daily The Marker published a three-page investigation into the influence of Shomron Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, describing his ties to senior government ministers, IDF commanders and international decision-makers, and the way he uses those connections to advance settlement in Judea and Samaria.
According to the investigation by journalist Hagai Amit, Dagan has become one of the most influential figures in decisions affecting the Shomron, operating simultaneously in the Israeli political arena and among policymakers around the world.
The report states that Dagan "creates partnerships with decision-makers all over the world" and that his international activity helps him advance his policy goals.
The investigation mentions his ties to senior figures in US President Donald Trump's circle, including Mike Huckabee and Paula White, Trump's spiritual adviser, alongside a visit to the Shomron by Argentine President Javier Milei.
A senior Foreign Ministry official quoted in the investigation said: "You can't dismiss him," explaining that Dagan "makes contact with politicians and becomes their source of information ... He doesn't make contact with some cowboy from Texas or cotton growers in Alabama, but with the people who pass budgets in Congress and have great influence."
The report also describes Dagan's work with Congresswoman Claudia Tenney to advance a caucus for Judea and Samaria in the US Congress, as well as activity by a friendship group in the European Parliament in Brussels.
Among the initiatives mentioned in the investigation is the promotion of a bill that would ban the use of the term "West Bank" in official US contexts.
"On a professional level, he does excellent work. His goal is to prevent decisions against the West Bank," the Foreign Ministry official said.
In the Israeli political arena as well, the investigation portrays Dagan as having significant influence. Among other things, it states that he is "worth billions to the Shomron," and in reference to his ties with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich it notes that "the finance minister lives in his council, he dictates Israel's policy in the territories."
