ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Determination

Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

President George W. Bush suspended for six months the statutory limitations in the Jerusalem Embassy Act that would have required moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and withholding State Department funds for maintaining facilities in Jerusalem. This was the 13th consecutive six-month suspension since the 1995 Act became law.

Federal Register Open PDF 72 FR 34975

Impact dates

  1. Six-month suspension period expires

  2. Transmission to Congress with report under section 7(a)

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

Near term (90d)

  • Six-month suspension period runs through approximately December 1, 2007

Long term

  • Continues pattern of serial suspensions since 1995
  • Maintains status quo on embassy location

Risks & tensions

  • Recurrent suspension pattern since 1995 creates tension between executive branch and congressional intent
  • Maintains politically sensitive status quo on Jerusalem status during active Israeli-Palestinian negotiations
  • Document notes 'remains committed' to moving embassy, signaling tension between stated policy and repeated deferrals
Presidential Determination: Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act · Executive Orders