Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

President Clinton suspended for six months the statutory limitations in the Jerusalem Embassy Act that would have required moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, citing national security interests. The determination requires transmission to Congress with a report and Federal Register publication before taking effect.

Federal Register Open PDF 65 FR 38713

Impact dates

Dec 13, 2000
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 under 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 with report
Secretary of State directed to transmit determination and publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

Six-month suspension period runs from effective date

Long term

Potential recurring suspension pattern under Jerusalem Embassy Act
Embassy relocation remains deferred pending future presidential determinations

Risks & tensions

Recurring use of national security waiver may create expectation of indefinite deferral
Jerusalem status remains politically sensitive in Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Congressional-executive tension over statutory mandate vs presidential foreign affairs authority