As Donald Trump resumes his presidency, the political landscape is shifting significantly in favor of right-wing supporters of Israeli annexation of the West Bank. A concerted effort by Republican lawmakers on both sides of Congress aims to redefine historic terminology concerning this occupied territory, long regarded by Palestinians and the international community as part of a future Palestinian state.
In a striking move, these lawmakers introduced new bills calling for the removal of the term "West Bank" from all U.S. government documents and its replacement with "Judea and Samaria." This change aligns with the biblical nomenclature often invoked to support Israel's longstanding historical claims. The initiative reflects not only a linguistic shift but also a reinforcement of claims over this territory, captured from Jordan during the 1967 war, which Israel continues to occupy.
Recent military operations by Israeli forces in the region, characterized by aggressive raids to combat terrorism, have intensified conversations around annexation efforts. "The Jewish people's legal and historic rights to Judea and Samaria go back thousands of years," asserted Senator Tom Cotton, a vocal supporter of the changes. Critics argue that "Judea and Samaria" itself is a politically charged term that undermines Palestinian rights and identity.
Representative Claudia Tenney of New York emphasized the establishment of a congressional group named the Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus, which aims to cultivate policies that align with Israeli assertions of ownership. This legislative effort, a revival of proposals initially introduced last year, finds new momentum as the political dynamics shift in favor of far-right ideologies within Washington.
With Republicans now in control of Congress, Trump's administration appears poised to encourage and solidify expansionist Israeli policies, as evidenced by his earlier proposals for annexation during his first term. The push for rebranding the West Bank reflects deeper ideological commitments that could shape U.S. foreign policy and exacerbate the already complex Israel-Palestine conflict.
