The return of former President Donald Trump is reshaping political narratives surrounding U.S. support for Israel, particularly regarding the terminology used for the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Republican lawmakers have introduced new legislation intending to replace “West Bank” with “Judea and Samaria,” a name that echoes historical and biblical claims to the territory.
On February 4, 2025, bills were presented in both the House and Senate aimed at this linguistic shift, with the goal of endorsing Israel’s historical claims, which were solidified following the territory's capture during the 1967 war. The replacement of terminology is seen as an assertion of a more pro-Israel stance that aligns with the administration's policies.
Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas expressed support, stating, "The Jewish people’s legal and historic rights to Judea and Samaria go back thousands of years," and criticized the usage of "West Bank" as politically charged. Critics, however, argue that using the term "Judea and Samaria" perpetuates a political agenda that overlooks Palestinian rights.
In addition to these legislative efforts, Representative Claudia Tenney of New York announced the establishment of the “Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus,” a group dedicated to promoting legislative measures favoring Israeli claims to the land. The introduction of these proposals marks a new chapter in bipartisan support for expansionist policies in Congress, bolstered by Trump's explicit support for Israel throughout and after his term.
As international dynamics continue to shift, these developments may lead to significant implications for U.S.-Middle East relations and the complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
On February 4, 2025, bills were presented in both the House and Senate aimed at this linguistic shift, with the goal of endorsing Israel’s historical claims, which were solidified following the territory's capture during the 1967 war. The replacement of terminology is seen as an assertion of a more pro-Israel stance that aligns with the administration's policies.
Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas expressed support, stating, "The Jewish people’s legal and historic rights to Judea and Samaria go back thousands of years," and criticized the usage of "West Bank" as politically charged. Critics, however, argue that using the term "Judea and Samaria" perpetuates a political agenda that overlooks Palestinian rights.
In addition to these legislative efforts, Representative Claudia Tenney of New York announced the establishment of the “Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus,” a group dedicated to promoting legislative measures favoring Israeli claims to the land. The introduction of these proposals marks a new chapter in bipartisan support for expansionist policies in Congress, bolstered by Trump's explicit support for Israel throughout and after his term.
As international dynamics continue to shift, these developments may lead to significant implications for U.S.-Middle East relations and the complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
