ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Determination

Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

President George W. Bush exercised authority under the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 to suspend for six months statutory limitations that would have required moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and restricted the use of funds for diplomatic facilities in Jerusalem. This represented the continuation of a long-standing executive practice of periodic suspensions on national security grounds.

Federal Register Open PDF 71 FR 36437

Impact dates

  1. Six-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 with report under section 7(a)
  • Publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Suspension takes effect upon transmission to Congress
  • Determination and report to be transmitted to Congress
  • Determination to be published in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Six-month suspension period runs from June 15, 2006 through approximately December 15, 2006

Long term

  • Continued delay of legally mandated embassy relocation
  • Potential future determinations required to maintain suspension beyond six months

Risks & tensions

  • Tension between congressional mandate (embassy relocation) and executive national security prerogative
  • Potential criticism from pro-Israel groups wanting faster embassy move
  • Potential criticism from parties seeking to avoid inflaming Israeli-Palestinian tensions
  • 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