Historic Recognition for the Settlement Movement: American Leadership Award Presented to Dagan

Photo: Courtesy of NACL

Historic recognition for the settlement movement: the American Leadership Award was presented to Dagan by C14 News Desk an hour ago 3 0 "The Israel-U.S. Leadership Award" was presented to the head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, in the presence of hundreds of members of U.S. legislative bodies. Dagan also presented a certificate of recognition to three American lawmakers who led the passage of a law supporting Judea and Samaria, which prohibits the use of the term "West Bank" in official documents in their states. Dagan: "From these values we will win"

A moving and historic recognition event for the settlement movement in Samaria: the largest association of lawmakers in the United States, NACL, awarded the "Israel-U.S. Leadership Award" to the head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan. The award was presented as part of the organization’s 2026 National Policy Conference, held at Liberty University in Virginia, during the conference’s main opening ceremony.

The recognition event was attended by hundreds of members of state legislatures and state senators from various states across the United States, who came especially to honor the head of the Samaria Regional Council and to express unequivocal support for the State of Israel and for settlement in Judea and Samaria. Also attending the conference were Senator Ted Cruz, Congresswoman Marlin Stutzman, and members of Congress John Maguire, Ben Cline, and Morgan Griffith.

During the ceremony, the organization’s president and the head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, presented certificates of recognition to three members of the legislatures, Mindy McAlindon, Chris Todd and David Livingston, representatives of the first states in the United States to pass the law in support of Judea and Samaria, Arkansas, Tennessee and Arizona. The law forbids the use of the words "West Bank" in official state documents and permits only the use of the words Judea and Samaria. It also recognizes the Jewish people’s right to the area. During the ceremony, the organization’s president announced that they would work to advance the law in 20 additional states in the United States.

NACL, led by founder and president Jason Rapert, is considered the largest association of lawmakers in the United States. The organization’s president and founder, who presented Dagan with the award, said: "The head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, is one of the leading regional leaders in Israel and a recognized supporter on the international stage of Israel’s historic land. Dagan’s influence extends far beyond Israel’s borders. One of Israel’s leading regional leaders and an internationally recognized figure working for Israel’s historic land. As head of the Samaria Regional Council, he has devoted his career to strengthening settlement in Judea and Samaria, promoting economic development, building international partnerships and deepening ties between Israel and its friends around the world. Understanding the importance of international activity, he has worked tirelessly to build connections with elected officials, religious leaders, businesspeople and policymakers around the world. His leadership has been marked by courage, vision and an unwavering commitment to strengthening the bond between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. And tonight we are presenting him with the first Israel-America Leadership Award."

Dagan, who was invited to speak as a central speaker at the opening ceremony of the conference, addressed the recognition and the strong bond between the peoples in the face of shared challenges, as well as the importance of the law in support of Judea and Samaria.

The head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, said at the award ceremony: "Thank you for this great honor. I want to share with you that we feel you. We feel your heart. We feel your partnership. We feel what you are doing for the State of Israel, and especially for the pioneers building the heart of the biblical land in Judea and Samaria.

"Ladies and gentlemen, together with NACL, the Judea and Samaria law is being advanced, for recognition of Judea and Samaria. Judea and Samaria are not just people and houses. They are not just roads. The law recognizing Judea and Samaria is not just a law. Judea and Samaria are values, the values of justice, and together we are fighting to defend Israel. Together we are fighting to defend the United States. After October 7, it is clear that we are in this battle together. And from these values, we will win. We will win together!"