Florida Bill Would Replace ‘West Bank’ With ‘Judea and Samaria’ in State Documents

Florida Representative Chase Tramont, a Republican from Port Orange, has filed legislation (HB 31) that would ban the use of the term “West Bank” in official state materials and replace it with the biblical designations “Judea and Samaria.”

If adopted, Florida would become the 11th state in the country to pass such a law, aligning with both Washington and Jerusalem’s push to use Israeli-preferred terminology for the area.

“With this bill, Florida sends a clear message: we will stand with Israel, honor truth over revisionism, and defend the eternal bond between the Jewish people and their ancestral homeland,” Tramont said.

The bill would not only mandate the new terminology going forward but also halt any state spending tied to the use of “West Bank.” One exception exists: agency heads could override the rule if they determine it is “in the best interest of the state,” but they must explain their decision in writing within 30 days to the Senate President and House Speaker.

Under the proposal, territory south of Jerusalem would be labeled Judea in official records, while land to the north of Jerusalem would be recognized as Samaria.

Countering International Pressure

Tramont emphasized the timing of the bill, pointing to recent moves by the U.K., France, Australia, Canada, and others to recognize a Palestinian state.

“With the egregious decisions of these nations, I believe it’s appropriate for Florida to lead the way once again,” Tramont said. “Judea and Samaria was, is, and always will be recognized as Israeli sovereign land.”

He also defended Israel against international accusations of genocide, calling them baseless:
“These so-called accusations by the U.N. do not reflect the truth. If Israel wanted genocide, it would have happened on October 8, 2023. Instead, Israel has taken extraordinary steps to protect civilians in a war zone. Every casualty is tragic, but the responsibility lies squarely with Hamas. And to suggest that the Palestinian Authority is any better is devoid of real intelligence.”

Federal and Israeli Alignment

Tramont’s legislation mirrors federal efforts, including bills championed by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY). Both lawmakers have pushed for a federal “Judea and Samaria Act,” which has the backing of President Donald Trump. Tenney has argued the initiative is necessary to prevent the term West Bank from being “weaponized” against Israel.

The terminology shift is also being advanced in the Israeli Knesset. MK Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionism Party has introduced the Correction of Terms in Legislation Bill (Judea and Samaria), designed to standardize use of the biblical names in Israeli law and eliminate alternative terminology that undermines sovereignty.

Historically, the term West Bank was imposed by Jordan, which occupied the territory until the 1967 Six Day War. Israel has long preferred the use of Judea and Samaria as a way of affirming both historical and legal claims to the land.

Florida’s Broader Record

If passed, Tramont’s bill would mark the latest pro-Israel action in the DeSantis era. Earlier this year, Florida moved to defund academic boycotts of Israel and has repeatedly intervened to assist in rescue missions bringing Americans back from Israel during wartime.

During a recent trip to Israel, Tramont told Samaria Council President Yossi Dagan that the U.S.-Israel bond is unbreakable:
“There will never be a separation between the U.S. and Israel. This is the land of Israel, and we are going to take part and demand it.”

Dagan, in turn, praised Tramont’s stance: “We know, especially in these difficult times, that we are not alone. We stand together with the same values for historical justice and security—for Israel and the United States.”