Benjamin Regional Council head and Yesha Council chairman Israel Ganz spoke Monday morning at the JNS conference in Jerusalem, calling on President Donald Trump to support Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria as what he described as a vital security move against Iran. He said a weak deal that leaves terror infrastructure intact would not bring peace, but would only pass the cost to the next generation.
Ganz opened by mocking international labels for the territory, saying the UN calls it “occupied,” the European Union calls it “disputed,” and Waze just says “recalculating.” He contrasted that with his own family and biblical ties to the land, saying his grandfather called it home and “the Bible calls it Israel,” and added that after 3,000 years he had stopped waiting for global approval about where he lives.
He told Trump, “Be strong today as you have been against our common enemies all along,” and argued that sovereignty in Benjamin, Judea and Samaria is not a luxury or a provocation but “the minimum security guarantee” for Israel’s future and for regional stability. He also said friendship between Israel and the United States should include support for Israel’s right to determine its future and strengthen its security.
Against the backdrop of worldwide calls to boycott West Bank products, Ganz highlighted recent economic ties built between Benjamin and Arkansas after his visit there and meetings with Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and other state officials. He said the answer to BDS is “more trade, more investments, more partnerships,” and noted that companies from the area operate in dozens of countries across Europe and the United States.
Ganz said Benjamin has decided to stop playing defense and is now leading “a revolution of economic normalization” in Judea and Samaria. He urged American supporters to “walk forward with us,” saying they should be partners in building the future, not spectators.
