Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

President George W. Bush suspended for six months the statutory requirements of the Jerusalem Embassy Act that would have mandated moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and withholding State Department funds for embassy construction. This was the latest in a series of periodic suspensions by multiple administrations since 1995.

Federal Register Open PDF 73 FR 3849

Impact dates

Jun 9, 2008
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 through approximately June 2008

Long term

Continues long-standing executive practice of deferring embassy relocation
Maintains status quo on U.S. diplomatic presence in Jerusalem

Risks & tensions

Perpetuates tension between congressional mandate and executive discretion in foreign policy
Maintains sensitive diplomatic balancing act in Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Text notes 'remains committed' to moving embassy, signaling political pressure without action