On Monday, a delegation of politicians from eight different U.S. states visited Israel’s heartland, touring the Binyamin region in Judea and Samaria. The delegation visited Psagot as well as the ancient city of Shiloh. During the tour, they received a historical and archaeological overview of the site.
1+The politicians met with Binyamin Governor and Chairman of the Yesha Council Yisrael Ganz, who explained the region’s security realities and rapid development, stating that “Binyamin is Israel’s security belt.”
The delegation, organized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), included Arkansas State Representative Aaron Pilkington, Florida State Representative Debra Tendrich, Kansas State Representative Pat Proctor, Missouri State Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman, Missouri Senate Majority Leader Tony Luetkemeyer, Ohio State Representative Meredith Craig, Texas State Representative Matt Shaheen, and Utah State Representatives Candice Pierucci and Karianne Lisonbee.
Utah House Majority Whip Candice Pierucci remarked, “I would encourage people, instead of reading the news, to actually come out and see what it really is like in the great state of Israel.” She added that she was impressed by Israeli’s “resiliency, and grit, and faith that they have, and it’s inspiring, and we need more of that in America.”
Kansas State Representative Pat Proctor stated: “I’m honored to have had the opportunity to come to Judea and Samaria,” and noted the locals are “a group of people so deeply dedicated to reclaiming their roots and making a home here.”
Governor Ganz stated: “I would like to thank the Combat Antisemitism Movement for this important initiative and for its unwavering commitment to strengthening the relationship between Israel and its friends across the United States. I also thank the distinguished members of the delegation who chose to come to Binyamin, see the reality firsthand, and deepen their understanding of both the challenges and opportunities in our region.”
1+The visit is contrasted by a stunt pulled by Congressman Ro Khanna last week. Unlike the delegation, the Democrat representative did not notify local authorities or the United States embassy of his intended visit and entered a restricted area, as confirmed by Ambassador Mike Huckabee. Khanna was briefly stopped by locals and security forces, and he later attempted to turn the situation into an international incident and damage U.S.-Israeli relations, after which his lies were exposed by journalists and senior diplomats all over the world.