At the Jerusalem Post Conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Yisrael Ganz, Governor of the Binyamin Region and chairman of the Yesha Council, revealed a new diplomatic vision for Judea and Samaria called the “Joshua and Caleb Plan.” The plan provides a framework for long-term regional stability, based on three pillars: security, economy, and governance.
Beginning his remarks with a biblical reference, Ganz recalled: “Over 3,300 years ago, the people of Israel stood at the threshold of the Land. Twelve spies went out; all saw that the land was good. Ten said it was impossible. But Joshua and Caleb said: it is possible.” Ganz explained that the devastating impact of October 7 created a new global and domestic understanding. “Many believed there was no solution, no way forward,” he said. “But again, as in the days of Joshua and Caleb, two leaders – President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu – said: it is possible to confront this evil and win. And they were right.”
The security part of the proposed plan calls for zero terror and incitement, continued Israeli security control throughout the region, and full law enforcement by Israeli police. “Security responsibility must remain entirely with the IDF,” he stressed. On the economic side, the plan proposes work permits for tens of thousands of unemployed Palestinians, major infrastructure development within five years, and the creation of 200,000 jobs through an economic partnership led by the Trump team.
The plan also envisions declaring Judea and Samaria a special economic zone with preferential tariffs, attracting international investments from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, and other countries. “We can turn Judea and Samaria into Israel’s Tuscany,” Ganz said.
For governance, the Palestinian Authority would need to end incitement, stop terror financing, and reform education. Local police forces would be responsible for policing, with U.S. oversight over municipal elections every five years. “We can transform Judea and Samaria into the Israeli Tuscany,” he declared. He finished by quoting the biblical call to action: “Let us go up at once and take the land. Now is the time."
Written in collaboration with the Yesha Council