Congresswoman Tenney Reintroduces 'RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria Act' and Launches Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus to Support Israel's Sovereignty

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today alongside Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria Act to require all official United States documents and materials to use the term "Judea and Samaria" instead of the "West Bank.”

Additional cosponsors of this legislation include Representatives Randy Weber (TX-14) Andy Ogles (TN-5), Mary Miller (IL-15), and Barry Moore (AL-1). 

Tenney also recently launched the Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus. This Caucus is a group of dedicated members of Congress committed to raising awareness and support for the historical, strategic, and cultural importance of Judea and Samaria to both Israel and the United States.

"The Israeli people have an undeniable and indisputable historical and legal claim over Judea and Samaria. By introducing the RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria Act and creating the Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus, we are working to reaffirm Israel's rightful claim to its territory. I am dedicated to working with President Trump, Secretary of State Rubio, and Ambassador Huckabee to support communities in the region while opposing the establishment of a hostile state that promotes terrorism in Judea and Samaria. I remain committed to defending the integrity of the Jewish state and fully supporting Israel's sovereignty over Judea and Samaria," said Congresswoman Tenney. 

“The Jewish people’s legal and historic rights to Judea and Samaria goes back thousands of years. The U.S. should stop using the politically charged term West Bank to refer to the biblical heartland of Israel,” said Senator Cotton.

Key stakeholders expressed strong support for Rep Tenney's creation of the Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus:

“The Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus, with its focus on affirming Israel’s sovereignty over the nation’s biblical heartland, could have a greater impact on Middle East policy than anything else in the last 50 years,” said Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council

“The Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus expresses the deep friendship between the American people and the biblical heartland, Judea and Samaria. The founding fathers of the United States were influenced by the Bible, which is the reason for biblical names in many cities in the United States. Judea and Samaria is not only a matter of historical justice, but also the protective belt of the State of Israel - and therefore also of the United States, which shares our values and the fight against the same threats. I congratulate Congresswoman Claudia Tenney for initiating the caucus, which will ensure, among other things, the use of the name Judea and Samaria, which strengthens the Jewish roots in the region and the historical and security alliance between Israel and the United States. Together we will work to strengthen Judea and Samaria, to strengthen the State of Israel which will in turn strengthen the United States,” said Yossi Dagan, Governor of Samaria.

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