ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationObama · D

Presidential Determination

Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

President Obama suspended for six months the spending limitations in the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 that would have restricted U.S. embassy funding unless the U.S. embassy in Israel was moved to Jerusalem. This determination, citing national security interests, was transmitted to Congress with a required report and published in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 37549

Impact dates

  1. 6-month suspension period expires

  2. Transmission to Congress with report (trigger for suspension taking effect)

Key directives

  • Suspend limitations under sections 3(b) and 7(b) of Jerusalem Embassy Act for 6 months
  • Transmit determination to Congress with report per section 7(a)
  • Publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Suspension takes effect upon transmission to Congress
  • Determination and report transmitted to Congress
  • Federal Register publication

Near term (90d)

  • 6-month suspension period runs from June 1, 2012

Long term

  • Continues long-standing executive practice of deferring embassy relocation
  • Potential repeated suspension cycle per Act requirements

Risks & tensions

  • Maintains status quo on politically sensitive Jerusalem embassy location
  • Recurring 6-month suspension pattern since 1995 reflects executive-legislative tension on Israel-Palestine policy
  • Congressional mandate vs presidential national security waiver authority
Presidential Determination: Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act · Executive Orders