ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Determination

Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

President George W. Bush suspended for six months the statutory limitations in the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 that would have required moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, citing national security interests. This was the latest in a series of periodic suspensions required by the Act to delay the embassy relocation.

Federal Register Open PDF 73 FR 33289

Impact dates

  1. 6-month suspension period expires

  2. Suspension takes effect after transmission to Congress

Key directives

  • Suspend limitations in 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
  • Secretary of State directed to transmit determination and report to Congress

Near term (90d)

  • 6-month suspension period runs from June 4, 2008
  • Embassy remains in Tel Aviv during suspension period

Long term

  • Continued delay of mandatory embassy relocation to Jerusalem
  • Potential future presidential determinations required to extend suspension

Risks & tensions

  • Recurring tension between statutory mandate and executive national security discretion
  • Sustains status quo on sensitive Jerusalem sovereignty issue
  • Congressional-executive friction over foreign policy prerogatives
Presidential Determination: Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act · Executive Orders