US Lawmakers Visit West Bank, Vow Counter-Sanctions Against Boycotters
A delegation of 20 US senators and representatives visited the West Bank, hosted by regional council head Yossi Dagan, amid threats from Ireland and Spain to impose sanctions on Israelis in the region. The lawmakers announced they would work to pass legislation in their home states to enact retaliatory measures and sanctions against companies and entities that boycott or refuse to do business with West Bank residents.
The delegation, led by Jason Rapert, founder and president of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL), included elected officials from Alaska, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Montana, Minnesota, Alabama, and Missouri. They were hosted at the "Noaf Avy" farm by farmer Israel Rappaport, who presented the settlement and the situation on the ground.
Rapert stated, "Just as we are winning the first battle, of recognition of Judea and Samaria, we are going to win the second battle, in stopping the economic war against Israel and especially against Judea and Samaria. We are with you, and together, with God's help, we will win." He urged lawmakers to use their political power to counter boycotts and pressure entities harming Israel economically.
Several lawmakers expressed their commitment. Senator Kathy Chism from Mississippi planned to introduce legislation to aid Israel, stating, "they do not need to impose these sanctions on them." Representative Mark Gidley from Alabama highlighted Alabama's existing law against doing business with boycotters and encouraged other states and the national level to adopt similar measures, calling Israel a "partner" and "ally."
Representative Hope Duke from Arkansas also pledged action, stating, "When other countries impose sanctions on Israel, we need to do our part." The NACL's efforts have already led to legislation in Tennessee using the term "Judea and Samaria" in official documents, with similar initiatives advancing in Arizona, West Virginia, and Florida. Bills have been formally introduced in Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, and Georgia.
Council head Yossi Dagan thanked the lawmakers, calling their actions a "loud voice for the world" and emphasizing that events in Judea and Samaria are historically and biblically relevant globally. He expressed confidence that they were "voting on the right side of history."
