Yossi Dagan of Samaria Regional Council Receives Prestigious U.S. Leadership Award

A historic and unusual tribute to settlement in Samaria took place this week in the United States, as the largest legislators’ organization in the U.S., NACL, awarded its “Israel-U.S. Leadership Award” to Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council. The prestigious award was presented to Dagan during the organization’s 2026 National Policy Conference, held at Liberty University in Virginia, in the conference’s main opening ceremony. Hundreds of state lawmakers and senators from across the United States attended the festive event to express unequivocal support for the State of Israel and for settlement in Judea and Samaria.

Among the prominent participants in the conference were Senator Ted Cruz and members of Congress Marlin Stutzman, John McGuire, Ben Cline and Morgan Griffith. The goal is to expand the “Judea and Samaria” law to 20 additional states.

During the ceremony, Dagan and the organization’s president presented special certificates of appreciation to three American state lawmakers, Mindy McAlindon, Chris Todd and David Livingston. The three represent the first states in the United States, Arkansas, Tennessee and Arizona, to successfully pass an official law banning the use of the term “West Bank” in government documents and requiring the exclusive use of the biblical names “Judea and Samaria,” while recognizing the Jewish people’s right to the area.

During the event, the organization’s president announced that the next goal is to work toward passing this sweeping law in 20 additional U.S. states. Jason Rapert, founder and president of the legislators’ organization, praised the Samaria council chairman’s international activity: “Yossi Dagan is one of Israel’s most prominent regional leaders and a recognized international figure working for Israel’s historic land. As head of the Samaria Regional Council, he has dedicated his career to building international partnerships and deepening ties between Israel and its friends 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 proud to present him with the first America-Israel Leadership Award.”

Dagan, who was invited to speak as the keynote speaker at the conference opening ceremony, thanked the American lawmakers for the strong alliance and for their support for the pioneers building the heart of the country. “Thank you for this great honor, we feel your partnership and what you are doing for the State of Israel and the pioneers in Samaria,” Dagan said at the award ceremony. “Together with NACL, the Judea and Samaria law is being advanced. This law is not just a document, Judea and Samaria are the values of justice. We are fighting together to defend Israel and to defend the United States. After October 7, it is clear to everyone that we are in this struggle together, and from these shared values, we will win together.”