Tennessee Legislature Passes Bill Mandating 'Judea and Samaria' Terminology
The Tennessee General Assembly has passed House Bill 1446, known as the Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act, which mandates that state agencies use the terms "Judea and Samaria" instead of "West Bank" in all official communications. The legislation, sponsored by Representative Chris Todd, is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. Supporters of the bill, including the National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL), argue that the new terminology reflects ancient Jewish historical ties to the land and ensures accuracy in government messaging. They contend that the term "West Bank" is a politically driven label originating from Jordan's control of the territory after 1948. NACL President Jason Rapert described the measure as part of a broader national effort to align government language with historical reality rather than political convenience. The bill now proceeds to the governor for final approval. This legislative move aims to standardize terminology across Tennessee state entities, emphasizing what proponents view as integrity and historical grounding in public institutional communications, while rejecting internationally common nomenclature deemed politically biased by the bill's backers.
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Tennessee Legislature Passes Bill Mandating 'Judea and Samaria' Terminology
The Tennessee General Assembly has passed House Bill 1446, known as the Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act, which mandates that state agencies use the terms "Judea and Samaria" instead of "West Bank" in all official communications. The legislation, sponsored by Representative Chris Todd, is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. Supporters of the bill, including the National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL), argue that the new terminology reflects ancient Jewish historical ties to the land and ensures accuracy in government messaging. They contend that the term "West Bank" is a politically driven label originating from Jordan's control of the territory after 1948. NACL President Jason Rapert described the measure as part of a broader national effort to align government language with historical reality rather than political convenience. The bill now proceeds to the governor for final approval. This legislative move aims to standardize terminology across Tennessee state entities, emphasizing what proponents view as integrity and historical grounding in public institutional communications, while rejecting internationally common nomenclature deemed politically biased by the bill's backers.
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