ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationG.W. Bush · R Quiet signal

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 funds if not moved. This was a routine national security waiver exercised by every president since the Act's passage.

Federal Register Open PDF 69 FR 78851

Impact dates

  1. Six-month suspension period expires

  2. Transmission to Congress of determination 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 determination and report to Congress
  • Secretary of State directed to publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Six-month suspension period runs through approximately June 15, 2005

Long term

  • Continued delay of embassy relocation to Jerusalem
  • Pattern of recurring six-month suspensions likely to continue

Risks & tensions

  • Maintains status quo on sensitive Jerusalem sovereignty issue
  • Balances domestic political commitment to embassy move against regional stability concerns
  • Recurring suspension pattern may face legal or political challenge
  • Vague on whether 'process of moving' involves concrete steps
Presidential Determination: Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act · Executive Orders