Elected officials from Europe, Africa and Latin America endorse Israel’s right to apply sovereignty to settlements in Judea and Samaria.
By Yakir Benzion, United With Israel
Lawmakers representing 20 countries in Europe, Africa and Latin America have signed a letter endorsing Israel’s right to apply sovereignty to settlements in Judea and Samaria, the Jerusalem Post reported.
The signatories are the heads of the Israel Allies Caucus, groups of legislators in each country who support Israel and work to promote better relations with the Jewish state.
The letter was signed and dated July 1, the target date that had been set by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to begin the process of applying Israeli sovereignty to settlements in Judea and Samaria, although no steps have been taken yet.
“We, the chairmen of the Israel Allies Caucuses, fully support our ally, the State of Israel, in her rights to apply sovereignty to the Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria,” the letter opens. “We affirm that the Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria have been a key part of the biblical and ancestral homeland of the Jewish nation for centuries.”
Members of parliament from Slovakia, Wales, Finland, Italy, Romania and the Netherlands signed from Europe. African supporters came from Zambia, Malawi, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, Madagascar and Kenya. while signatories from Latin American included Argentina, Colombia, Suriname, Mexico, the Domincan Republic and Guatemala.
Israel Allies Foundation President Josh Reinstein praised the courageous leadership of the signatories.
“This is not just an American phenomenon. All over the world, millions of bible-believing Christians are waiting with bated breath to finally realize the dream of sovereignty in Israel’s heartland,” Reinstein told the Post. “The courageous leadership of our parliamentary chairmen as demonstrated by their bold statement in support of sovereignty is a testament to the strength of faith-based diplomacy.”
The Knesset Christian Allies Caucus, comprising Israeli Knesset members who work with Christian allies around the world, regrouped Thursday for the first time since the new government took office. Likud member Sharren Haskel is chairing the caucus that has 17 Knesset members from seven different political parties.
The full letter reads:
“We, the chairmen of the Israel Allies Caucuses fully support our ally, the State of Israel in her rights to apply sovereignty to the Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria.”
“We affirm that the Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria have been a key part of the biblical and ancestral homeland of the Jewish nation for centuries.
“We maintain that Israel applying Israeli civil law to already existing Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria is appropriate and recognizes the democratic wishes of those communities.
“We know that Israel ensures free access for all religions to the important biblical sites in Judea and Samaria, including the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs in Hebron, the site of Jacob’s dream in Beit El, and the tabernacle’s resting place in Shiloh, among many other religious sites.
“We believe that the application of sovereignty to these communities in Israel will not affect the Palestinian people negatively but rather bring the possibility for peace and prosperity closer to the region. Applying Israeli law to already existing Jewish communities in Israel can be part of a realistic regional peace plan which recognizes current realities”.