Florida textbooks and government documents could soon refer to the West Bank as Judea and Samaria, under a quickly advancing bill.
The bill passed its final House committee Tuesday but received pushback from some lawmakers who worry about how the proposed change could be perceived.
Which name to use is a point of contention in international conversations surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The West Bank is primarily used in international law, by media, and by Palestinians to describe the territory west of the Jordan River. Judea and Samaria are used by the Israeli government, by many Israeli citizens, and by some supporters of Israel.
During a recent committee meeting on the issue, Florida resident Daniel Rach soke in favor using the term Judea and Samaria.
"The name Judea and Samaria trace back to ancient times, representing the Kingdoms of Israel, that remained through Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Arab rule. Only in the last century was the region referred to as the West Bank,” he said.
But Adam Abutaa with Emgage Action Florida, a Muslim American advocacy group, worries changing the language the state uses could harm to Florida’s Palestinian residents.
“Florida is home to thousands of Palestinian Americans with deep ties to the West Bank. For them, this is not abstract. It's their identity, their history and their family. At a time of rising anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian rhetoric, this bill risks making many Floridians feel targeted and unwelcome,” he said.
It’s a concern shared by Jacksonville Democratic Representative Angie Nixon.
“Any attacks on the Jewish community is wrong, but so is attacks on folks who are Palestinian. So is attacks on folks who are Muslims. Is really important for us not to demonize a certain community, and I just fear that this legislation is going to lead to that,” she said.
Lake Worth Democratic Representative Debra Tendrich, who is Jewish, is one of the bill’s sponsors. She said she understands those concerns, but says she also has strong feelings of her own.
“You know, the emotions for everyone are very true and real, but so are mine, and so are the 3,000 years of history of how this land has been named Judea Samaria historically, to then be coined another term just for complete erasure of our history,” she said.
The bill is being heard as the Florida Capitol hosted “Israel Day” and “Jewish Advocacy” day Monday and Tuesday. Meanwhile, a similar measure has been filed for consideration in the U.S. Congress.