Tennessee bill nixing use of ‘West Bank’ awaits governor’s signature
(JNS) — Tennessee’s legislature has voted to change references in state documents to the biblical regions north and south of Jerusalem to “Judea and Samaria.”
The term, which has always applied to the region in Israel, will replace references to the “West Bank,” which was invented and used by the international community following the liberation of the region from the Jordanians in the Six-Day War of 1967.
“The ideological and cultural conflict over Judea and Samaria represents a broader civilizational struggle between Judeo-Christian values,” state House Bill 1446 and its Senate companion Bill 1663, known as the “Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act.”
The bills say the term “West Bank” is a “deliberate attempt to erase the Jewish identity of Judea and Samaria, and to obscure the deep historical, religious and legal connections of the Jewish people to the land.”
Both houses passed their respective bills on April 9, by votes of 24-8 in the Senate and 68-21 in the House of Representatives. The measure now heads to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, for his signature.
The law mandates that any tax-funded communications from state agencies or official state materials use the historical nomenclature, rather than the more recent internationally recognized term.
Duke University suspends Students for Justice in Palestine chapter
(JNS) — Duke University has suspended its chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine and frozen the group’s funding following complaints about an social media post that featured antisemitic imagery, according to The Chronicle, a student publication.
The March 13 post promoted a March 19 SJP general body meeting billed as a discussion on “Iran, Zionism and U.S. imperialism.” It included a graphic originally published in the Black Panther Party’s newspaper in 1970, depicting two pigs — one labeled “U.S. imperialism,” holding the Statue of Liberty’s torch, and another labeled “Zionism,” holding a Star of David.
At least 10 students filed complaints with Duke’s Office of Institutional Equity, according to The Chronicle. In response, Duke Student Affairs suspended the group’s activities and froze its funding, citing both the complaints and prior concerns about the organization’s conduct.
“The suspension of SJP is a vital step that recognizes a long-standing pattern rather than a single isolated incident,” Noah Hamid, a member of Duke’s class of 2028, told JNS.
“Moving beyond supportive measures to taking direct action is an important step that recognizes the cumulative divisive impact of an organization that frequently uses the veil of ‘anti-Zionism’ to marginalize the Jewish community on campus,” he said.
SJP leadership told The Chronicle that the image “was never intended to be antisemitic,” adding that opposition to Zionism “is not the same as targeting Jewish people.”
Most American Jews oppose AIPAC spending in Democratic primaries, survey finds
(JTA) — The majority of American Jews oppose the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC spending funds raised from Republican donors in Democratic primaries, according to a new survey released Apr 14.
The survey, which was conducted by GBAO Strategies on behalf of the liberal pro-Israel lobby J Street, comes as AIPAC has faced heightened scrutiny for pouring millions of dollars into Democratic primary races in New Jersey and Illinois in recent months with the aim of electing a majority pro-Israel Congress.
Candidates’ rejection of AIPAC support has become a litmus test for many Democrats, and a number of presumed 2028 presidential candidates have sworn off AIPAC, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
Last week, the Democratic National Committee rejected a vote on a resolution that would have condemned AIPAC specifically, instead advancing a resolution that condemned “dark money” more broadly in electoral politics.
In a statement Apr 13, the Union For Reform Judaism criticized the negative focus on AIPAC, writing that it was “deeply concerned by efforts to single out AIPAC as a particularly malign influence in campaign finance.”
The organization joined others that have pegged the focus on AIPAC as antisemitic.
Hegseth: US watching Iran’s moves, ready to resume fighting
(JNS) — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Apr 16 warned Iran’s military leadership that the United States is “watching you” and urged Tehran to accept Washington’s terms to end the Mideast conflict.
“If Iran chooses poorly, they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy,” he said at a press briefing in the Pentagon.
He stressed that the U.S. military is surveilling Iranian efforts to dig out its remaining launchers and missiles. The war has left the Islamic Republic with “no defense industry, no ability to replenish your offensive or defensive capabilities. You only have what you have. You know that,” Hegseth added.
JD Vance heckled over Middle East policy at Turning Point USA event
(JTA) — Vice President JD Vance was interrupted by antiwar hecklers during a Turning Point USA event on Apr 14, underscoring growing backlash over U.S. policy in the Middle East among young Republicans.
“Jesus Christ does not support genocide,” one person shouted out during the event at the University of Georgia. Shortly after, a voice yelled out, “You’re killing children! You’re bombing children!”
“I agree,” Vance responded. “Jesus Christ certainly does not support genocide, whoever yelled that out from the dark.”
But he said the audience should be thankful for the Trump administration’s negotiation of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
“You know who’s the person who got a peace agreement in Gaza? Donald J. Trump,” Vance said. “So if you want to complain about what happened in Gaza, why don’t you complain about Joe Biden and the last administration? We’re the administration that solved that problem.”
Vance also addressed criticism of the Iran war later in his remarks during the evening. “I recognize that young voters do not love the policy we have in the Middle East, OK,” he said, adding, “I understand.”
The incident at Turning Point USA, an influential youth organization in conservative politics comes as the Republican party has faced blowback over the Iran war from top conservative activists, including Tucker Carlson.
