The chairman of the Yesha Council and governor of the Binyamin Regional Council, Yisrael Ganz, is often the first to arrive at the scene of terror attacks, manages municipal life in central Judea and Samaria and fosters close ties with senior members of Congress, some of whom have even visited his home in Psagot.
The Binyamin Regional Council is the largest in Judea and Samaria and, in fact, the largest in Israel. It is located in the center of Israel and, unlike many other local municipalities, it must deal with international challenges and share its perspectives with leaders across the globe, particularly those in the United States.
Ganz recently concluded a visit to New York, Washington, D.C., and Louisiana. Though it is not common for a leader from the Yesha Council to head to the United States right now, Ganz is leading a fight against the American administration’s initiative to establish a Palestinian state. In meetings with senior senators and congressmen, Ganz seeks to recruit partners and soften opposing positions, using official reports on the actions of the Palestinian Authority, which supports terrorism and from which many terrorists have emerged recently.
On Oct. 7, the area under Ganz’s responsibility faced a severe threat similar to the situation in Israel’s southern kibbutzim. Ganz managed the emergency-preparedness actions in Jewish communities under his jurisdiction; communicated with military leaders and government ministers; and remained involved in ongoing security reinforcement. The Jewish communities under Ganz’s purview are very close to the cities and towns of the Palestinian Authority, and Israelis and Palestinians travel together on the same roads.
The area has lost about 40 soldiers from Israel Defense Forces soldiers who fell in battle since the war began. Ganz accompanies the military delegation to each soldier’s home to deliver the devastating news to the family. About two weeks ago, he had to visit the home of a personal friend and neighbor to inform his wife and children about their loved one’s passing.
While much of his daily work is local, Ganz explains why it is important that he advocate for his community and Israel on a wider stage.
“What happens here in New York and Washington affects our lives. Those who push for the establishment of a Palestinian state are endangering our lives, bringing Hamas and Palestinian Authority murderers not only closer to the beds of our women and children but also to cities such as Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Netanya and Modi’in. This will put the State of Israel in real, existential danger,” he says. “I cannot stay home in my country, despite the pressing challenges that continue at this moment, because I know that our fate is being decided there.”
During his recent trip, Ganz met with several members of Congress, including U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), and Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
During their meeting, Lee said, “There are no grounds for a two-state solution. [President Joe] Biden cannot impose conditions on Israel. Not regarding a Palestinian state, [and] not regarding ending the war with Hamas. We in the United States stand with you, unconditionally.”
He added that “we need to ensure that Judea and Samaria continue to exist, and we must protect the residents there from dangers. I am your friend, and you have many more like me in the Senate and other states in the United States who stand by Israel.”
This was Ganz’s second meeting with Lee since the Oct. 7 terror attacks and the war; the first took place about six months ago in Israel.
Cruz emphasized to Ganz his firm stance in favor of Jewish life in Judea, Samaria and Binyamin.
The connection Yesha and Ganz have with the State of Louisiana and, in general, with senior American officials is not new. In recent years, reciprocal visits have been held between him and senior officials from both the Republican and Democratic parties. About two years ago, senior Democrats visited Ganz’s home in Psagot, near Ramallah. For some, it was their first visit and first conversation with a Jewish, Israeli resident of Judea and Samaria, and often they left having to re-evaluate long-held beliefs about the region that always favored the Palestinians.
Aiding with the overseas endeavors are Ruthie Lieberman, Binyamin Council’s government-relations adviser, and director of the foreign desk, Eliana Passentin. This team manages to open doors in Washington through professional work connected to the ideology they bring from home, which they emphasize is the Land of the Bible.
In New York, the foreign-relations and government-relations team of the Binyamin Council hosted a large conference for friends and partners of the organization. Some of the attendees had donated security equipment worth millions of dollars to communities in Judea and Samaria, and this was an opportunity for the Binyamin council to thank them. Ganz also met with New York City Mayor Eric Adams and presented him with a special award for standing with Israel.
The delegation was met with great enthusiasm in Louisiana, owing in part to contacts that have been building over the last few months between Ganz’s office and senior staffers from the Louisiana governor’s office. Among other endeavors, they are working to strengthen ties via joint economic and business projects. Ganz emphasized that this cooperation stems from important shared values that will benefit the entire world.
In the presence of Ganz and his team, a resolution was passed in the state prohibiting manifestations of antisemitism and imposing penalties on organizations and individuals that promote antisemitism. State Sen. Valarie Hodges and State Rep. Michael Bayham, both Republicans, initiated and led the move, and Ganz and his advisors were touched by the measure and expressed their gratitude.
Also during the trip, Louisiana’s Secretary of State Nancy Landry announced the purchase of additional Israel Bonds worth $10 billion.
Ganz also met with the state’s treasurer, John Fleming, who served as deputy chief of staff in the administration of former President Donald Trump, and announced his intention to create an annual event for businesses and entrepreneurs in Louisiana and the Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria and Binyamin to promote joint zeconomic development. Louisiana recently signed agreements for innovative developments by the EPR Systems, which operates in the Binyamin community of Eli; Fleming and Ganz took a tour of the fire stations to see the Binyamin-made systems in person.
“We came here to promote trade and economic-development relations with you following our shared connection,” Ganz said during his trip. “We welcome this relationship, which is based on the shared values of the Jewish people and the American people.
“Your moral stance at our side, and your commitment to the truth, is fertile ground for blessed cooperation,” he continued. “You unabashedly proclaim that you stand on the side of justice, with the people and the land of the Bible. The people of Israel thank you.”