ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Determination

Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

President Bush suspended for six months the spending and diplomatic restrictions in the Jerusalem Embassy Act that required moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, citing national security interests. The Secretary of State was directed to transmit this determination and a report to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 69 FR 38795

Impact dates

  1. Six-month suspension expires

  2. Transmission to Congress and report

Key directives

  • Suspend limitations in 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 to Congress and publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Six-month suspension period runs from June 2004

Long term

  • Continued delay of embassy relocation to Jerusalem
  • Potential recurring six-month suspensions if pattern continues

Risks & tensions

  • Recurrent use of suspension authority since 1995 creates tension between legislative mandate and executive foreign policy discretion
  • Jerusalem status remains sensitive in Israeli-Palestinian conflict
  • Document vague on whether 'process of moving' implies concrete planning or rhetorical commitment
Presidential Determination: Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act · Executive Orders