ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Determination

Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

President George W. Bush exercised authority under the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 to suspend for six months the statutory limitations that would have required moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and restricted official U.S. business in Jerusalem. The determination defers the embassy relocation requirement, continuing a pattern of presidential suspensions maintained by every administration since 1995.

Federal Register Open PDF 70 FR 36805

Impact dates

  1. 6-month suspension period expires

Key directives

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

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Suspension takes effect upon transmission to Congress
  • Determination to be transmitted to Congress with accompanying report
  • Determination to be published in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • 6-month suspension period runs from June 15, 2005
  • Congress receives report per section 7(a)

Long term

  • Continued deferral of embassy relocation requirement
  • Potential repeated suspension cycle per Act's structure

Risks & tensions

  • Recurrent tension between congressional mandate (embassy relocation) and executive branch national security determinations
  • Potential criticism from pro-Israel groups seeking immediate embassy move
  • Regional sensitivities regarding Jerusalem status in Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Presidential Determination: Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act · Executive Orders