Florida lawmakers want to ban the term “West Bank” in K-12 public schools, universities, and state agencies. They aim to replace it with “Judea and Samaria”. The West Bank is the internationally known name of the land west of the Jordan River, captured by Israel in 1967. The Israeli rightwing government calls it “Judea and Samaria” based on biblical history to strengthen their claim. The international community sees the West Bank as occupied territory for a future Palestinian state. The term “Judea and Samaria” has gained support among many US Republicans since Trump’s presidency. Arkansas was the first state to make this change for state institutions in April 2023. Florida’s bill, called the Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act, also targets K-12 schools, not just colleges and agencies. If passed, all official Florida government materials must stop using “West Bank” and use “Judea and Samaria” instead. New textbooks and school library materials would have to follow this rule too. The bill follows Florida’s recent laws that restrict teaching topics like LGBTQ+ issues, race, climate change, and social justice themes. Debra Tendrich, a Jewish Democrat and bill sponsor, said the law fights the “erasure” of Jewish ties to the land. She said, “Jordan coined the term West Bank, not for any other reason than to erase the Jewish connection from this land.” Meanwhile, Democrat Angie Nixon called the bill “an attack, an erasure of the Palestinian people.” Adam Abutaa from Emgage Action said the bill “elevates one narrative while erasing another.” PEN America’s Florida director William Johnson warned the law would hurt Palestinian Americans and send a “worrying signal” amid rising anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian rhetoric. The house version, HB 31, passed a committee on January 27 and awaits a full house debate. The senate version, SB 1106, is still under committee review. Republicans control both Florida chambers.