A major visitors center has recently been inaugurated in the West Bank town of Har Bracha, located in the biblical region of Samaria. The facility was launched by “The Israel Guys,” a Christian Zionist organization dedicated to fostering understanding of the Land of Israel by bringing international volunteers to assist with local development.
Joshua Waller, the CEO of The Israel Guys (originally established as HaYovel), stated that the core mission of the organization is to allow people to witness firsthand the vibrant growth of the biblical heartland. He aims to counter what he describes as skewed media narratives that depict the region primarily through the lens of conflict.
“We live here, we see the people who live here, and then we tell everyone what is actually happening. Our role is to expand that and bring thousands of internationals to come and see for themselves,” Waller told Fox News Digital.
Joshua Waller of the Israel Guys at work on the West Bank. (The Israel Guys)
Waller addressed the controversial term “settler violence,” often used to describe Jewish residents in Judea and Samaria. He invited critics to visit the visitor center to see the reality of peaceful community development, calling the international narrative a “fake narrative” and a “straight-up war against the Jewish people.”
The organization offers several volunteer programs designed to immerse participants in local life. These include the ten-day “Heartland Experience” combining touring and labor, the two-week “Grape Harvest” trip focusing on agricultural work, and the “Men’s Pruning” trip in early spring. Additionally, “Zion Ops” targets young adults aged 18 to 30, while “Day Visits” provide shorter, two-hour tours of Har Bracha.
Volunteers working in vineyards on the West Bank are part of the Israel Guys’ program that brings volunteers to Israel. (The Israel Guys)
The initiative traces back to 2004, when Tommy Waller, Joshua’s father, visited Israel and met Nir Lavi, the founder of Har Bracha Winery. Lavi shared his vision of fulfilling the biblical prophecy of Jeremiah, which speaks of planting vineyards on the mountains of Samaria. Deeply moved, Tommy Waller relocated his family from Tennessee to Har Bracha in 2007 and founded HaYovel, a nonprofit to mobilize Christian volunteers for agricultural support. The organization later rebranded as The Israel Guys, expanding its media and advocacy efforts.
“HaYovel” volunteers from its international program work in the vineyards of Shiloh in Samaria help to pick grapes on the West Bank. (Hillel Maeir/TPS-IL)
Over the years, The Israel Guys has helped develop approximately 120 farms, assisting local farmers with planting trees, building fences, harvesting crops, and infrastructure projects. Following the events of October 7, 2023, the group launched “Operation Ittai,” raising $3.85 million to provide tactical supplies and bolster security for communities in the region.
Anti-Israel activists protest outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on April 7, 2025. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The group gained widespread attention for bringing American cowboys to Israel to help farmers whose workers were called up for military service. Waller also addressed recent discussions regarding the safety of Christians in Israel, refuting claims that the country is unwelcoming. He emphasized that Israel is in fact the safest place for Christians in the Middle East, noting that it is the only location in the region where the Christian population is actually growing.
Josh Waller works the field in the West Bank, also known by its biblical names Judea and Samaria. (The Israel Guys)
The volunteers represent a broad spectrum of Christian denominations, including Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals, Mormons, Amish, and Mennonites. The newly opened center is designed to serve as a hub for agricultural support programs, educational lectures on Zionism, and communal gatherings.
The new center will include programs to support Israeli farmers, lectures on Israel and Zionism and be a place for communal meals. (The Israel Guys)
Waller concluded by highlighting the biblical significance of their work, stating that volunteers are witnessing the fulfillment of prophecy as the land flourishes. He urged global leaders to align with biblical values, asserting that doing so would usher in a period of peace, while his organization would continue to fight misinformation.
