American Friends of Judea and Samaria takes solidarity trip to Israel
Last week, American Friends of Judea and Samaria (AFJS) hosted a solidarity mission to Israel, of pro-Israel activists and their teenage children from the New York area, seeking to understand the realities on the ground, as Israel continues to battle Hamas in Gaza. In addition to visiting southern Israel, a large part of the trip focused on key historical and Biblical sites in Judea and Samaria, while also giving the group a chance to meet with Israel’s modern day pioneers – those who are safeguarding Israel’s state lands from incursion by hostile Arabs.
The trip started with a visit to the Gaza Envelope including to the site of the Nova festival in Reim where hundreds of Israeli young adults were massacred. It was then on to the town of Sderot, as well as the area’s military headquarters on the Gaza border where the heroic IDF soldiers prepared for battle. Paratrooper Commander Yigal Dilmoni (a co-founder of AFJS), who fought in Gaza for four months, told the participants about the IDF’s maneuvers and stressed why it is important to continue the battle in Rafah as well.
The following day the group visited the Knesset for a special discussion at the Land of Israel caucus, where AFJS Chairman Rafi Lazerowitz addressed the session.
Lazerowitz said “AFJS is a grassroots initiative utilizing education to change the narrative and tell the truth about Judea and Samaria – to fight the lies that are out there, and the fake news about these areas.”
He added “Our message is very clear: there is no conversation about the State of Israel without Judea and Samaria. It is the heart and soul of the Land of Israel and the Jewish People. We have been there for 3,300 years, and we are not going anywhere.”
The group also held meetings with a wide spectrum of Members of Knesset including: Dan Illouz, Ohad Tal, Simcha Rothman, Zvi Sukkot and Matan Kahana. After the Knesset, the group visited the IDF Central Command in Gush Etzion and hosted a barbeque For IDF soldiers stationed in the area.
The following day the delegation toured the Binyamin region, meeting with Governor of the Binyamin Regional Council, Israel Gantz. The group then visited ancient Shiloh – the site of the tabernacle and spent time with a family of agricultural farmers – the modern-day Zionist pioneers who are safeguarding Israel’s state lands. The group also traveled to the Jordan Valley to meet with the area’s regional council chairman, David Elhayani. From there it was on to a special Jordan River tour, to witness the rejuvenation of Israeli agriculture in the region.
On the final day, the group met with an IDF hero, Commander Lt. Col. Yonati Bhat of the 646th Paratroopers Brigade. Bhat was seriously injured in clashes with terrorists in Gaza and is now in rehabilitation. They also met with Mishna Elad, the commander of the 646th Paratroopers Brigade. It was an honor for AFJS to deliver a new thermal drone to these soldiers, thanks to the generosity of friends of AFJS who contributed to the organization’s emergency campaign.
The delegation participants were very excited to get to know the places where the stories of the Bible took place and to witness the new Israeli pioneers safeguarding the Land of Israel.
Here are some quotes heard from mission participants:
“We had the privilege of meeting people who dedicate their lives to guarding the Land of Israel for us.”
“This visit changed our lives. It was a phenomenal experience like I have never felt in Israel.”
“You have taught us so much. I now see Israel through an entirely new lens. This trip was a blessing for all of us and you made it so important.”
The delegation was accompanied by Yigal Dilmoni and Rafi Lazerowitz, AFJS co-founders and board members.
For those interested in organizing or taking part in a future AFJS Israel mission, contact AfJS by email: office@afjs.org