Niagara Leader

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, representing New York's 24th District and Chair of the Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus, has reached out to President Trump in a formal letter. She is urging his administration to acknowledge Israel's right to declare sovereignty over the regions known as Judea and Samaria.

The letter was also signed by several other Representatives: Mary Miller from Illinois, Randy Weber from Texas, Barry Moore from Alabama, Andy Harris from Maryland, and Nick LaLota from New York.

This correspondence follows a recent statement by President Trump indicating an upcoming announcement on Israeli sovereignty over these areas. Earlier this year, Rep. Tenney established the Friends of Judea and Samaria Caucus to highlight the historical, strategic, and cultural importance of these regions for both Israel and the United States. She also introduced legislation titled the RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria Act. This act proposes that all official U.S. documents refer to these territories as "Judea and Samaria" instead of "West Bank."

In their letter, lawmakers stated: “While radical left-wing actors seek to remove historically significant statues and erase the legacy of our Founding Fathers, you have stood firm in defending our nation’s heritage. Your unwavering commitment to preserving our nation’s history reflects your understanding that our strength and resilience are deeply rooted in our connection to the past. Recognizing the critical role that Judea and Samaria have played in shaping our shared Judeo-Christian heritage will only further these efforts.”

They added: “As such, in anticipation of a potential policy announcement regarding Judea and Samaria in the next few weeks, we want to express our strong support for recognizing Israel’s right to declare sovereignty over this historically and biblically significant region.”

Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council, remarked on this issue saying: “The term ‘West Bank’ has become a highly divisive label, fueling geopolitical and military tensions in the Middle East. It is time to recognize this region by its historical names: Judea and Samaria, not the ‘West Bank.’ The United States should recognize Israel’s right to declare sovereignty over this land where nearly 80% of the biblical record’s events took place.”