Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

President George W. Bush suspended for six months the statutory requirements of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 that mandated moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, citing national security interests. The determination requires transmission to Congress with a report and publication in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 66 FR 66707

Impact dates

Jun 12, 2002
6-month suspension period expires

Key directives

Suspend limitations in sections 3(b) and 7(b) of Jerusalem Embassy Act for 6 months
Transmit determination to Congress accompanied by report per section 7(a)
Publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Suspension takes effect upon transmission to Congress
Secretary of State directed to transmit determination and report to Congress
Secretary of State directed to publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

6-month suspension period runs through approximately June 2002

Long term

Continued delay of mandated embassy relocation
Potential repeated suspensions under same statutory authority

Risks & tensions

Recurrent use of suspension authority creates tension with congressional mandate
National security justification is vague; specific threats not detailed in text
Maintains status quo on sensitive Jerusalem status issue affecting Israeli-Palestinian relations