Samaria Council Grants Honorary Citizenship to Dutch PM Candidate Geert Wilders

At a festive ceremony during the ninth Alma Festival held at the Raveva Amphitheater, Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, awarded honorary citizenship of Samaria to Geert Wilders, the Dutch prime ministerial candidate. The honor recognized Wilders' longstanding support for Israel and the Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria. The event was attended by thousands of residents and began with speeches from both men.

Dagan addressed the crowd, highlighting recent hardships including the deaths of two soldiers, Yuval Malt and Yuval Ezra, following terror attacks. He emphasized the shared struggle for Israel and Europe's future and praised Wilders as a true friend who stands with them daily. Wilders expressed gratitude, calling Dagan a brave messenger of truth and saying the land holds a special place in his heart. He reassured the audience that they are not alone, with millions worldwide supporting Israel.

During his visit, Wilders met with key Israeli officials including Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and Housing Minister Haim Katz. He also toured strategic sites in Samaria, visited the ancient Samaria archaeological site and Gilad Farm, where he comforted the Malt family mourning their son’s murder. The visit included a comprehensive political agenda focused on security challenges, counterterrorism, and strengthening Israel-Netherlands ties.

Wilders is known as one of Europe’s most vocal supporters of Israel’s right to self-defense and settlement activity in the West Bank. His visit and the honorary citizenship underscore the close relationship between his political stance and the Israeli settler community’s interests.