Axios: Republican staffers told to call occupied West Bank 'Judea and Samaria'

U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair, Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL 21st), instructed committee staff to refer to the Israeli-occupied West Bank by its Hebrew name "Judea and Samaria," according to a copy of an internal committee memo obtained by Axios.

The international community, including the U.S. government, refers to the territory Israel occupied in 1967 as the West Bank and does not recognize Israeli sovereignty there. Approximately three million Palestinians and half a million Jewish settlers live in the West Bank.

Changing the terminology the committee uses is a symbolic gesture that underscores the support among many Republicans in Congress for recognizing Israeli sovereignty there.

The occupation in the West Bank and the Jewish settlements, which were built against international law, are a politically charged and controversial issue in Israel.

While the settler lobby and the governing coalition advocate for expanding settlements and annexing the territory, other segments of Israeli society oppose these measures.

According to Axios, a source with direct knowledge of Mast's directive said the congressman sent the memo to the 50 Republican staffers on the committee on Tuesday. It is not binding for the Democratic staffers.

He wrote that "in recognition of our unbreakable bond with Israel and the inherent right of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland, the House Foreign Affairs Committee will, from here forward, refer to the West Bank as Judea and Samaria in formal correspondence, communication and documentation."

Mast wrote that "Jewish roots in this region span centuries," and "as representatives of the American people, we must do our part to stem this reprehensible tide of antisemitism and recognize Israel's rightful claim to the cradle of Jewish civilization."

The Israeli government never annexed the West Bank or officially applied Israeli law to this territory.

The Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continue to use the term the "West Bank" alongside "Judea and Samaria."

During his press conference with Netanyahu three weeks ago, U.S. President Donald Trump was asked by an Israeli reporter whether he "supports Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria areas."

Trump said the White House is discussing the issue but has not taken a position yet.

"But we will be making an announcement probably on that very specific topic over the next four weeks," he said.