ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Determination

Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

President Bush suspended for six months the statutory requirements of the Jerusalem Embassy Act that would have forced the U.S. embassy in Israel to move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and cut State Department funding if not moved. This was a routine national security waiver exercised by every president since the Act's passage.

Federal Register Open PDF 68 FR 74459

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
  • Secretary of State directed to publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • 6-month suspension period runs through approximately June 2004

Long term

  • Continued postponement of embassy relocation
  • Recurring 6-month waiver cycle expected to continue

Risks & tensions

  • Maintains status quo that defies congressional intent while avoiding regional destabilization
  • Recurrent waivers create persistent tension between executive and legislative branches on Jerusalem policy
  • Document does not specify exact transmission date to Congress, only that suspension takes effect after transmission
Presidential Determination: Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act · Executive Orders