Tennessee House Passes Bill on West Bank Labeling

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is Corey with Birmingham News Today. The Tennessee House passed House Bill 1446, which banned state agencies from using the term West Bank in official materials. Instead, they must refer to the area as Judea and Samaria. Former Auburn Basketball coach Bruce Pearl spoke in favor, urging lawmakers with biblical references to the names. Pearl, who also coached at the University of Tennessee, recently became chairman of a non-profit focused on strengthening US Israel ties through. Education and trips for lawmakers, the group has funded visits to the region for congressional delegations since 2011. Lawmakers had mixed reactions. Democrats labeled the bill divisive and unnecessary, questioning why Tennessee should weigh in on distant issues. A Palestinian-American opponent argued it, ignores people living there and erases their presence. The West Bank is internationally viewed as Palestinian territory under Israeli control since 1967.

1:02Similar measures have popped up in other Republican-led states, pushing for what supporters call biblically accurate names. The bill cleared the chamber on a 14-to-6 vote. Sponsor Representative Chris Todd says it promotes transparency and stops taxpayer funds from supporting misleading language. This episode is supported by our sponsor. Your pillow just got smarter. It plays your podcasts and music. So L-I-SoliPillow.com