trying to split eMdash (long dash) but DTM converts my dash to short dash

var dates = document.querySelector('#txDates').textContent.split(' — ');

trying to split the long dash that I have on my content page but whenever i save the rule in DTM, it converts the long dash to short dash. I can't use &eMdash; because it displays like the following:

<span>Monday, Mar 16, 2020</span> — <span>Wednesday, Mar 18, 2020</span>

any help is greatly appreciated.