Florida Advances Controversial Bill on Geographic Terminology in Education
Florida lawmakers are moving forward with groundbreaking legislation that would prohibit the use of the term “West Bank” across all K-12 public schools and state agencies, including public colleges and universities. The proposed law mandates the exclusive use of the term “Judea and Samaria” instead, marking a significant shift in how this contested region is described in official state materials.
Scope and Uniqueness of the Florida Proposal
The legislation, known as the Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act, would apply comprehensively to official state government documents, new instructional content, and school library resources throughout Florida's public education system. Notably, Florida stands as the only US state currently considering legislation that explicitly extends such a terminology mandate to K-12 education, setting a precedent that could influence other states.
Understanding the Terminology Controversy
The West Bank is the internationally recognized name for the Palestinian territory west of the Jordan River, which Israel captured from Jordan in 1967. While the international community largely views this area as occupied territory intended for a future Palestinian state, Israel's right-wing government employs the term “Judea and Samaria” to invoke biblical kingdoms of ancient Israel, thereby supporting historical and religious claims to the land.
Political Context and US Adoption
This terminology has gained momentum among US Republicans since Donald Trump's first presidency. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, appointed by Trump as US ambassador to Israel, has publicly endorsed this language. In April last year, Arkansas became the first US state to mandate replacing “West Bank” with “Judea and Samaria” in state institutions, as reported by The Guardian. Similar proposals have been introduced in Congress but have not yet advanced to a vote.
Part of Broader Educational Reshaping in Florida
Florida's bill emerges amid a wider legislative push to reshape school curriculum and library materials. Recent efforts have restricted content related to:
- LGBTQ+ identities
- Race and racism
- Climate change
- Social justice movements
- Critical race theory
- Discussions of socialism
Supporters: Correcting Historical Erasure
According to The Guardian, Democratic State Representative Debra Tendrich of Lake Worth, a sponsor of the house bill HB 31, argues the legislation aims to counter what she describes as the erasure of Jewish ties to the land. “Jordan coined the term West Bank, not for any other reason than to erase the Jewish connection from this land,” she told the house state affairs committee last week.
Critics: Silencing Palestinian History and Identity
Opponents, including other lawmakers and advocacy groups, have raised significant concerns. Democratic Representative Angie Nixon of Jacksonville warned the committee that the measure “could be seen as an attack, an erasure of the Palestinian people.”
Adam Abutaa, Florida organizing manager for the Muslim American advocacy group Emgage Action, stated the bill “elevates one narrative while erasing another, restricting how educators, researchers, and public institutions can speak about a region recognised by the US government and the international community.”
William Johnson, Florida director of PEN America, emphasized the broader implications: “This bill does not operate in the abstract; it touches people’s histories, families and lived realities. Our state is home to thousands of Palestinian Americans, many of whom have deep ties to the West Bank.”
Current Legislative Status
The house version of the bill, HB 31, cleared the state affairs committee on January 27 and is now awaiting debate on the house floor. A parallel senate bill, SB 1106, has yet to advance through committee. Republicans hold majorities in both chambers of the Florida legislature, potentially facilitating the bill's passage.
