RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]
- Committees
- Foreign Affairs Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jan 31, 2025
Bottom line
The bill seeks to formally align U.S. government terminology with Israel's preferred nomenclature for the territory historically known as the West Bank, thereby making a significant symbolic and diplomatic statement.
What it actually does
This bill mandates that the United States Government cease using the term "West Bank" in all official materials, policies, and communications, replacing it with "Judea and Samaria." It prohibits the use of federal funds for any work product that uses the term "West Bank" and makes conforming changes to several existing U.S. laws, including foreign assistance and trade acts, to reflect this new terminology. An exception is provided for obligations under international treaties, and the Secretary of State may issue a waiver under specific conditions.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that the term "West Bank" is a relatively modern and politically loaded term that obscures the historical and biblical connection of the Jewish people to the region. They contend that using "Judea and Samaria" accurately reflects the historical names of the land and strengthens the U.S.'s recognition of Israel's sovereignty and historical claims, reinforcing the U.S.-Israel alliance and correcting what they view as an egregious confusion in official government language.
Opponents contend
Opponents would likely argue that mandating the use of "Judea and Samaria" prejudges the final status of the territories, which is traditionally viewed by the U.S. and the international community as an issue to be resolved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. They might contend that this change undermines U.S. neutrality, complicates peace efforts, and could be perceived as a de facto recognition of Israeli annexation, potentially alienating Palestinian allies and other Arab nations.
The bill is short and straightforward, making it highly accessible for a reader to understand its core intent and mechanisms within a short timeframe.
Section 2
Sense of Congress on Terminology
This section establishes a formal statement from Congress that the U.S. Government should refer to the land annexed by Israel from Jordan during the 1967 Six-Day War by its historical names of "Judea and Samaria." It specifies that the land south of Jerusalem should be considered "Judea" and the land north of Jerusalem as "Samaria." Furthermore, it states that the U.S. Government should no longer use the term "West Bank" in any official government materials.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this provision corrects a historical inaccuracy and aligns U.S. policy with the historical and cultural reality of the region, demonstrating unwavering support for Israel's legitimate claims.
Critics contend
Critics contend that this provision is a unilateral diplomatic shift that undermines the U.S. role as a neutral mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and could further destabilize the region by appearing to endorse Israeli annexation.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the desire to affirm support for Israel's historical narrative with the potential for diplomatic repercussions and the perception of abandoning a neutral stance in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Section 3(a)
Prohibition on Funds for 'West Bank' Terminology
This section prohibits the use of any federal funds, authorized or appropriated after the enactment date, for the creation or dissemination of any official U.S. government document, policy, briefing, press release, or other work product that refers to Judea and Samaria as the "West Bank." This effectively defunds any government activity that uses the proscribed term, ensuring compliance through budgetary controls.
Section 3(b) and 3(c)
Exceptions and Waiver Authority
Subsection (b) provides an exception to the funding prohibition, stating that it does not apply to funds related to U.S. obligations under international treaties or other agreements. Subsection (c) grants the Secretary of State the authority to waive the prohibition if they determine it is in the interests of the United States to do so, provided an explanation for the waiver is submitted to Congress within 30 days of the determination. These provisions introduce flexibility into the otherwise strict prohibition.
Section 4
Conforming Changes to United States Law
This section systematically amends numerous existing U.S. federal statutes to replace every instance of "the West Bank" with "Judea and Samaria." These amendments affect a wide range of laws, including the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Taylor Force Act, the Multinational Force and Observers Participation Resolution, the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986, the United States-Israel Free Trade Area Implementation Act of 1985, the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003, and the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act. This ensures the new terminology is consistently applied across the U.S. legal code.