GOP congressman in Gush Etzion. (Screenshot)

Two Republican congressmen met with community leaders and sovereignty activists in Judea and Samaria, vowing to fight any potential evacuation of Jewish communities from these areas.

By United with Israei Staff

US Representatives Andy Harris (R-Md) and Andy Barr (R-Ky) arrived in Israel this week, visiting Samaria and the Gush Etzion region.

During their tour of Samaria, the two congressman expressed their support for strengthening Jewish communities in these areas, rejecting any potential features of a forthcoming Trump administration peace plan that call for evacuation of Israelis from Judea and Samaria.

“[T]he best way forward for peace and prosperity for everyone, Jews and Arabs, is more industrial development here, where we can have integration and not segregation. That is the path to peace,” commented Barr, the Jerusalem Post reported.

While Harris concurred, opining that the majority of Israelis oppose forced removal of Jewish communities from Judea and Samaria, he also expressed doubt that Trump’s “deal of the century” plan would require such concessions on Israel’s part.

Previously, the U.S. president communicated that under his proposal, both sides will need to make painful compromises. Trump’s plan is set to be released following Israel’s April 9 elections.

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan expressed gratitude to the congressmen for their visit to the area and the message it sends to those who want to delegitimize Israel and promote the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, reported the Post.

Barr and Harris also visited Oz Ve’Gaon nature reserve in Gush Etzion and met with the Women in Green movement’s Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar, who discussed Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria with the congressmen.

Barr agreed to communicate Women in Green’s message to his colleagues in Congress and constituents, and said he “echo[ed]” their “sentiment that a strong Israel and Israeli sovereignty is an interest not just of the Jewish people but of the United States as well.”