'Judea and Samaria must remain an integral part' of Israel, says US Speaker Johnson at Ariel University event

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson made an unprecedented visit to Samaria on Monday, recognizing the area as an “integral part” of Israel.

The visit, held at Ariel University, was part of a conference planned by the Yesha Council and the US-Israel Education Association (USIEA). Johnson is one of the most senior American officials to enter a settlement in the Judea and Samaria region, internationally known as the West Bank.

“Judea and Samaria are the front lines of the State of Israel and must remain an integral part of it,” Johnson said. “Even if the world thinks otherwise, we stand with you.”

“Scripture teaches us that the mountains of Judea and Samaria were promised to the Jewish people, and they belong to them by right. But many people around the world do not see it like this; they label it the ‘occupied territories’ or the ‘West Bank’ or any other name,” he added. “Every mayor here should know exactly where we stand regarding this issue – and we stand with you.”

The visit was originally planned for late June, but the 12-day war between Israel and Iran forced it to be postponed. Johnson previously stated that he was looking forward to the visit as “one of the greatest moments of honor in my life.”

Several local mayors attended the event, including Ariel Mayor Yair Chetboun.

Chetboun described Johnson’s visit as “a historic moment of shared values, deep friendship, and strong partnership between the US and Israel, and between the US and Judea and Samaria, the place where the Jewish story began.”

The U.S. delegation attending the event included U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee-Sanders, chair of Republicans Overseas Israel Marc Zell, and several other Republican congressmen.

“This is a clear expression of US President Donald Trump’s unwavering support for Israel, and recognition that Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria is not an obstacle to peace, but rather an expression of the Jewish people’s historical and legal right to their land,” Zell stated.