European Parliament Member Toured Samaria on Israel Visit and Expressed his Support

This morning (Monday) it was cleared for publication that Member of the European Parliament Reinhold Lopatka made his inaugural visit to Israel last week as a guest of Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council.  Following his tour of the biblical heartland of Samaria, he articulated support for Israel, and said he understands the fight for sovereignty. Support for sovereignty over Judea and Samaria from an MEP would be a first.

“Full Understanding of the Fight”

Reinhold Lopatka is a prominent figure within the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats), the ruling coalition in the European Union led by Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen – who threatened sanctions against the State of Israel several months ago amid ongoing hostilities. His recent visit reciprocated an earlier meeting between Yossi Dagan at the European Parliament approximately two months prior.

The centerpiece of the visit was an extensive day-long tour of Samaria. Following the tour, he engaged in substantive discussions with the head of the Samaria Regional Council, culminating in a joint address. In his statements, he voiced his understanding of the fight to establish sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, and underscored his appreciation for Israel’s security imperatives and its obligation to defend its citizens.

“I have a full understanding of the fight for sovereignty,” Lopatka affirmed to Dagan. “And to protect your citizens.”

Standing Together

The senior European representative delivered an unambiguous message concerning the campaign against terrorism: “The European Union has to be very clear: On the one hand, you have Israel, defending its sovereignty, defending its people. And on the other hand, you have terrorists like Hamas, Hezbollah or the Houthis. As democrats, we have to support democracies. Israel is a democracy.”

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council added: “Our sovereignty of Judea and Samaria is not just historical justice because it is in the Bible and our history. It’s our history, our culture, for the Christians and the Jews together… It’s also our national security, because after October 7, we understand that we are together. We have the same enemies, and we have the same values and together we win.”
He expressed gratitude to MEP Lopatka for his unwavering support, adding: “You are a faithful friend to the people of Israel and to the pioneering residents cultivating the biblical homeland”.

Dagan concluded: “I appreciate what you’re doing for Europe and for Israel”.