ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Determination

Presidential Determination on Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

President Bush suspended for six months the statutory limitations in the Jerusalem Embassy Act that required moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, citing national security interests. This was the 14th such suspension since the Act's passage in 1995, continuing a pattern of successive administrations delaying the embassy move.

Federal Register Open PDF 67 FR 78125

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
  • Secretary of State directed to transmit determination and report to Congress

Near term (90d)

  • 6-month suspension period runs through June 2003

Long term

  • Continues precedent of repeated suspensions; embassy remains in Tel Aviv pending future presidential determinations

Risks & tensions

  • Recurrent suspensions create tension with congressional intent in 1995 Act
  • Jerusalem status remains sensitive issue in Israeli-Palestinian conflict
  • Document does not specify exact transmission date to Congress, only that suspension takes effect after transmission
Presidential Determination: Presidential Determination on Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act · Executive Orders