ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationObama · D

Presidential Determination

Waiver of and Certification of Statutory Provisions Regarding the Palestine Liberation Organization Office

President Obama waived for six months a provision of the 1987 Anti-Terrorism Act that would have required closing the Palestine Liberation Organization office in Washington, D.C., certifying that doing so served U.S. national security interests. The Secretary of State was directed to transmit the determination to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 19537

Impact dates

  1. Six-month waiver expires

Key directives

  • Waive section 1003 of Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987 for 6 months
  • Transmit determination to Congress
  • Publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Waiver takes effect for 6-month period
  • Secretary of State directed to transmit to Congress and publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Six-month waiver period runs through approximately October 7, 2010

Long term

  • Potential need for renewal determination after 6-month period expires

Risks & tensions

  • Periodic waiver requirement creates recurring political friction with pro-Israel constituencies and Congress
  • Short 6-month window requires repeated presidential decisions, creating policy uncertainty
  • Vague 'national security interests' standard provides broad discretion but limited transparency
Presidential Determination: Waiver of and Certification of Statutory Provisions Regarding the Palestine Liberation Organization Office · Executive Orders