ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationClinton · D

Presidential Determination

Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

President Clinton suspended for six months the spending limitations in sections 3(b) and 7(b) of the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act, which required moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The determination was transmitted to Congress with a required report and published in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 64 FR 72887

Impact dates

  1. Six-month suspension expires

  2. Transmission to Congress with report (trigger for suspension taking effect)

Key directives

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

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • Six-month suspension expires June 17, 2000 unless extended by another determination

Risks & tensions

  • Recurring tension between executive and legislative branches over embassy relocation timeline
  • Diplomatic sensitivity regarding Jerusalem status in Israeli-Palestinian conflict
  • Pattern of repeated suspensions since 1995 suggests structural workaround of congressional mandate
Presidential Determination: Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act · Executive Orders