US Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation in both the House and Senate to mandate the use of “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank” in official US government documents, a move aimed at bolstering Israel’s territorial claims over the occupied territory.
The bill, championed by right-wing figures in both the US and Israel, aligns with efforts to promote Israel’s annexation of the West Bank—an area internationally recognized as a key part of a future Palestinian state. The territory, seized by Israel during the 1967 war, is home to over three million Palestinians, including families displaced during the 1948 Nakba.
Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton defended the proposal, arguing that the US should stop using what he called the “politically charged term” West Bank and instead recognize the “Jewish people’s legal and historic rights” to the territory. Representative Claudia Tenney, a New York Republican, has also launched the “Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus” to push policies reinforcing Israel’s control over the area.
The legislative push comes amid growing Republican support for Israel’s hardline policies, emboldened by Donald Trump’s return to the political stage. Trump, who has long branded himself as the most pro-Israel US president, recently met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington—a visit that sparked protests over Netanyahu’s handling of the Gaza war and an ICC arrest warrant issued against him for alleged war crimes.
While Trump has not explicitly endorsed annexation, he hinted at a forthcoming announcement on Israel’s sovereignty over the West Bank. He also confirmed discussions with regional leaders about relocating Palestinians from Gaza—an idea widely condemned by Palestinians and Arab governments.
The proposed name change signals deeper US alignment with Israel’s far-right settler movement. The West Bank’s Jewish settler population, now surpassing 529,450, continues to expand, with experts predicting a sharp increase under a potential second Trump presidency.
Israel has built over 130 settlements and dozens of outposts in the West Bank, in violation of international law. In July, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel’s occupation was illegal, citing violations of Palestinian self-determination and systemic discrimination.
Meanwhile, tensions in the West Bank have escalated alongside Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. According to the UN, more than 800 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank since October 2023, with a surge in settler violence against Palestinian communities.
In a related development, US congressional leaders have blocked a $1 billion arms package for Israel. The deal—reportedly including thousands of bombs and armored bulldozers—was stalled by Democratic lawmakers concerned over Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Netanyahu’s policies toward Palestinians.
Despite historical bipartisan support for Israel, Washington’s shifting stance reflects growing divisions over US policy in the region.
