Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

President George W. Bush suspended for six months the limitations in the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 that would have required moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and withholding certain State Department funds. This was the latest in a series of periodic suspensions by multiple presidents since 1995, citing national security interests.

Federal Register Open PDF 71 FR 36477

Impact dates

Dec 15, 2006
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

Secretary of State · State Department

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 from June 15, 2006

Long term

Continued postponement of embassy relocation
Ongoing presidential determinations required every 6 months under Act

Risks & tensions

Perpetuates status quo on sensitive Jerusalem sovereignty issue
Balances congressional mandate against executive national security discretion
Recurrent tension between legislative intent and executive foreign policy prerogative