U.S. Bill Mandates 'Judea and Samaria' Terminology, Replacing 'West Bank': A Shift in Official Documents and Potential Diplomatic Stance

The "RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria Act" is a proposed law that changes how the U.S. government talks about a specific, highly contested region. Instead of using the term "West Bank," which is common in international discussions, the bill mandates the use of "Judea and Samaria" in all official U.S. documents and communications. This shift aligns U.S. terminology with that used by the Israeli government, and it's a significant change with potential real-world consequences.

Renaming the Region

The core of the bill (Section 2) is about changing the official name used by the U.S. government for the area Israel annexed from Jordan in the 1967 Six-Day War. The bill states that Congress believes the U.S. should call this area "Judea and Samaria," dividing it into "Judea" (south of Jerusalem) and "Samaria" (north of Jerusalem). The bill also directs the government to stop using "West Bank" in official documents.

Dollars and Documents

Section 3 of the bill puts teeth into this name change. It prohibits using any government funds to create documents or communications that refer to the area as the "West Bank." Think maps, reports, press releases – anything official. There's a loophole, though: this doesn't apply to international treaties or agreements. And, the Secretary of State can waive this rule if it's deemed in the "interest of the United States," but they have to explain why to Congress within 30 days.

For example, if a State Department report on regional agriculture previously mentioned "West Bank farmers," it would now have to say "Judea and Samaria farmers." Or, if a USAID project funded infrastructure in the area, any related documents would need to use the new terminology.

Changing the Law Books

Section 4 goes through a bunch of existing U.S. laws and swaps out "West Bank" for "Judea and Samaria." These laws cover a range of topics, including foreign assistance (Foreign Assistance Act of 1961), terrorism (Taylor Force Act), and peace initiatives (Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act). This is where the bill's impact goes beyond just words – it changes the language in laws that deal with real-world actions and funding.

The Bigger Picture

This seemingly simple name change has big implications. The term "West Bank" is widely used internationally, while "Judea and Samaria" is the term preferred by the Israeli government. By changing its official terminology, the U.S. is potentially shifting its perceived stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It could be seen as the U.S. taking a side, which could complicate diplomatic efforts in the region and impact relationships with other countries. And the Secretary of State's ability to waive the rule introduces the possibility of selective enforcement, depending on political priorities.