Israel at War: Week 133
Rabbi Tuly Weisz of Israel365 announced a landmark decision by the Tennessee General Assembly who voted to replace the term “West Bank” for the more accurate term for Israel’s heartland with “Judea and Samaria.” This is a major achievement, in Rabbi Weisz’s words, because “the battle over language is the battle over truth.” Indeed, it is!
“The term “West Bank” came into existence in 1950 when Jordan wanted to erase Jewish history from the heartland of Israel. Israel365 presented the idea of the resolution at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Convention in 2024 when CEO Troy Miller of the NRB, which has 1,100 affiliated members, endorsed our resolution to urge Christian media outlets to replace the term “West Bank” with the accurate term “Judea and Samaria.” When Christian leaders speak up, politicians listen-and the NRB resolution was a turning point.” It has now expanded to the state government of Tennessee approving the resolution which was presented by Senator Mark Pody and State representative Chris Todd, “with powerful testimony from the indomitable Laurie Mendoza Moore of Proclaiming Justice to the Nations.” Governor Bill Lee is expected to sign the bill named “The Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act” into law.
I could not agree more with Rabbi Weisz’s summation of this achievement: “It passed because people on the ground—pastors, rabbis, activists, and Christians who love Israel built relationships, showed up and made the case.” Tennessee is an important initial achievement but there is more to be done, both in the states and also on a federal level. And Rabbi Weisz and Israel365 are just getting started!
(Source: Israel365news.com)
