Candidate for Dutch Prime Minister visited Homesh: "This is your land"
Geert Wilders arrived for a tour of the reviving settlement against the backdrop of the Dutch government's decision to boycott products from Judea and Samaria. During the visit, the plan to establish 19 settlements in northern Samaria was presented to him.
Against the backdrop of the Dutch government's decision to ban the import of products from Judea and Samaria, the country's opposition leader and candidate for prime minister, Geert Wilders, began his visit to Israel this week with a tour of the reviving settlement of Homesh in northern Samaria.
Wilders arrived in Israel as a guest of the head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan. After the Sabbath, he stayed at Dagan's home in Homesh, and the two held a lengthy meeting. Later, Wilders toured the settlement and spoke with its residents.
During the visit, Wilders was presented with the "Reconnection Plan," under which the establishment of 19 new settlements in northern Samaria is planned, including Homesh.
"Yossi, I am very proud to be here with the 'Lion of Samaria'," he told Dagan. "21 years ago you were expelled from here, and now you are returning with a huge plan to resettle the entire Samaria. This is the only way - this is your land, your country, your history, and your religion."
Dagan thanked Wilders for his support:
"I am excited to host you in Homesh, in my home, in the heart of the Land of Israel. You are a brave leader, and I know what you are doing for the future of Europe, the Netherlands, and Israel. You are the first leader who understood that we must stand together and fight together."
The council head also addressed the security significance of the settlement in the area: "We are rebuilding our homeland and the future of Israel, Europe, and the world. After October 7, it is clearer than ever that our settlements in northern Samaria are the security belt of the entire State of Israel."
Wilders replied: "It affects the security of Europe and the security of the Netherlands. Everything is connected, so we work together and we will win together."
This is Wilders' second visit to Israel in less than two years. During his previous visit, he also stayed with Dagan, and his visit to Judea and Samaria caused a stir and was brought up for discussion in the Dutch parliament. His current visit is expected to cause further repercussions, especially in light of the Dutch government's decision to boycott products from Judea and Samaria.
In the coming days, Wilders is expected to continue his tours in Samaria and the Jordan Valley and meet with senior officials in the Israeli government.
