Likud ministers sent an urgent letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, urging him to apply Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. Their appeal followed Netanyahu’s diplomatic visit to the White House, where President Donald Trump suggested that the coming four weeks would be a critical period for deciding on the region.
The ministers’ letter, titled “Implementing Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria – Preventing the Next Massacre,” addressed Netanyahu directly:
“Last weekend, you became the first foreign leader to visit the White House for a meeting with President Trump. In your discussions, you addressed critical issues, including distant threats, peace agreements, and, most importantly, the ongoing fight to ensure the total destruction of Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the safe return of all our hostages.”
The initiative was spearheaded by Yesha Council Chairman Yisrael Gantz, Yossi Dagan, and Yesha Council Director General Omer Rahamim.
The letter was signed by ministers Eli Cohen, Miki Zohar, Gila Gamliel, Amichai Shikli, Miri Regev, Shlomo Karai, Yoav Kisch, Idit Silman, Nir Barkat, Mai Golan, and Dudi Amsalem.
However, a few ministers refrained from signing, including Israel Katz, Haim Katz, Avi Dichter, and Yariv Levin. Some ministers claimed they were not presented with the letter for signature and indicated that they might add their names at a later stage.
The Likud ministers’ letter continued:
“We wish to congratulate you and encourage you to stand firm in defending Israeli interests. The President’s remarks about changing the reality in Gaza, along with his acknowledgment of discussions on applying sovereignty to our biblical homelands in Judea and Samaria, present a remarkable historical opportunity.”
They further stressed:
“We remind you of the obvious: Israeli sovereignty is not a luxury but a necessity. It is a fundamental obligation to prevent the establishment of an Arab terrorist state in the heart of our country and is an integral part of achieving absolute victory.”
The ministers asserted that full Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria is not only an expression of Israel’s natural right to its land but also the only way to prevent future atrocities like those of October 7 from occurring in cities such as Afula, Hadera, Kfar Saba, Modi’in, Jerusalem, and Beersheba.
“The time has come to apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and secure immediate US recognition of the region as an integral part of the State of Israel—just as President Trump did with the Golan Heights,” they wrote.
