At “The Future of Judea and Samaria” conference, co-sponsored by American Friends of Judea & Samaria and the Jewish News Syndicate, Knesset member Simcha Rothman delivered an address emphasizing the urgency of asserting Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.
Rothman, a member of the Religious Zionism Party, described the moment as both “dangerous and full of opportunity,” citing growing attention to the future of the biblical homeland of the Jewish people, including discussions within Congress and circles close to U.S. President Donald Trump.
He warned that competing political agendas make the current period pivotal, asserting that decisions made “in the next few weeks and months” will shape not only Israel’s future but international affairs.
“This is the time to make sure the world knows this is our land,” Rothman said, stressing the link between the land’s biblical roots and Israel’s national identity.
He acknowledged to JNS that he was concerned about Trump’s promise to Arab countries that he would oppose Israeli annexation of Judea and Samaria.
“I’m a big believer in the ideology of ‘America First,’ but also ‘Israel First.’ President Trump must understand that sovereignty is a matter of ‘Israel First,’” Rothman told JNS.
“Israel is a democracy, and 80 members of Knesset voted for my resolution on sovereignty, including Prime Minister Netanyahu. So the fact that Judea and Samaria should be under Israeli sovereignty is undisputed in Israel,” he added, referring to the resolution he initiated, which the Knesset passed by a vote of 71-13 on July 23.
He also noted that Trump’s promise to Arab countries was part of the 20-point ceasefire plan. “If those other issues aren’t addressed in the plan, President Trump recognizes that changes will be necessary,” Rothman said.
During his remarks, Rothman, who co-chairs the Knesset’s ‘Land of Israel Caucus,’ highlighted his sovereignty resolution and another rejecting a Palestinian state, which garnered nearly identical levels of parliamentary support. He underscored that these measures represent a rare consensus across Israel’s political spectrum.
“It’s not about right or left,” he said. “The people of Israel are united like never before on sovereignty.”
He called on American allies and supporters to help translate declarations into tangible realities on the ground through infrastructure, new communities and economic initiatives that strengthen Israel’s presence in the region.
“We need your friendship,” Rothman urged. “This is a precious time to create sovereignty not only in words, but in reality.”
Expressing gratitude to event organizers and attendees, he concluded with optimism: “Together, we can ensure that when we speak of the Land of Israel, we are not waiting, but living it.”
