‘We walked where prophets and kings lived’ - US lawmakers, activists tour biblical heartland in Israel

A visiting group of U.S. politicians and pro-Israel activists recently finished up a weeklong visit to Israel sponsored by American Friends of Judea and Samaria (AFJS). 

The delegation included politicians such as Arkansas State Representative Melinda McAlindon and Leora Levy, a Republican National Committee member and former U.S. Senate candidate from Connecticut, as well as leading public and cultural figures, such as Michael Borkow, a Hollywood screenwriter, who produced the TV sitcom “Friends.” 

During their visit, the delegation visited various sites in Judea and Samaria, including Mount Gerizim, ancient Shiloh, the Jordan Valley, and the settlement of Peduel, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) east of Tel Aviv, where the observatory often called the “Balcony of the State” Ofers an overview of most of Israel’s coastal plain. 

During the tour, the members of the delegation met with Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, where they heard about the settlement community and why the issue of sovereignty is important to the Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria. 

During the visit to Samaria, Yigal Dilmoni, CEO  of the Yesha Council and founder of AFJS, remarked, ”Today's visit symbolizes a new stage in strengthening the alliance between Israel and the United States. To see American legislators and senators standing on Mount Gerizim and ancient Shiloh, one heart with the people of Israel, is proof of the power of truth and connection to the land of the Bible. We will continue to work to expose the world to the true face of Judea and Samaria, and to deepen the understanding that this is the heart of the Land of Israel.” 

Representative Melinda McAlindon told Ynet News about her motivation for helping organize the delegation’s visit. 

“I have a strong heart for Israel,” she said. “I was super excited about the opportunity to introduce more legislators to what is happening in Israel and show them the land.” 

She further stated that "One of the most meaningful moments was when we went out to Shiloh and saw what was there, where the Temple was. We were there at sunset, and it was just absolutely beautiful. It was amazing to see the ruins that were there, to see the evidence of the Temple being there for so many hundreds of years. That was probably one of the most meaningful sights that we've seen so far.” 

Rep. McAlindon previously visited Israel in September, as part of a special delegation organized by Israel's Foreign Ministry of 250 state representatives and senators to see the land of Israel. During that visit, she expressed the importance of her Christian faith in her support for Israel. 

“As a Christian, we believe the promise in Genesis 12 that says, ‘I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you, I will curse,’” McAlindon shared. “So as Christians, we believe that you should support Israel. We should do what we can to help protect God’s people from evil forces.” 

Leora Levy, another delegate, who previously visited Israel several weeks after the October 7 attacks, said, “I'm a very strong Zionist. I come from a Zionist family. I love Israel.” 

Levy said that it is important for supporters of Israel to “tell our children the truth” about Israel. 

The mother of three children, Levy said that many young conservatives do maintain a strong support for the Jewish State. 

“They understand the connections, that we have shared values, that Israel has a biblical right to be here, the Jews have a biblical right to be here and that we actually are the indigenous people here,” Levy said. 

At the end of their tour, the delegation attended a conference, titled “The Future of Judea and Samaria,” in Jerusalem, where they heard from Israeli politicians like Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, and Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman. 

During the conference, Minister Sa’ar referred to the recent Knesset vote on sovereignty, saying it “It was not wise or responsible to bring it one week after the implementation of [U.S. President Donald] Trump’s plan and during the visit of the vice president.” 

“In life and in political life, there is a time for everything,” Sa’ar opined. 

MK Rothman, who supported the bills, shared a different opinion, stating, “This is the time to make sure the world knows this is our land.” 

Rep. McAlindon also shared her experience at the conference, saying, “We walked where the prophets and the kings lived. We retraced the stories of the scripture. We followed in the footsteps of Jesus and made history come alive in a way that no textbook ever could.”