ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationObama · D

Presidential Determination

Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

President Obama suspended for six months the statutory requirements of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 that would have mandated moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and restricted State Department spending on diplomatic facilities in Jerusalem. This determination, citing national security interests, was required to be transmitted to Congress with a report and published in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 74553

Impact dates

  1. 6-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 accompanied by report per section 7(a)
  • Publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Determination signed
  • Suspension takes effect upon transmission to Congress

Near term (90d)

  • 6-month suspension period runs through approximately June 4, 2013
  • Report to Congress due with transmission

Long term

  • Potential recurring determinations required every 6 months under Act
  • Continued deferral of embassy relocation

Risks & tensions

  • Recurrent tension between congressional mandate (embassy relocation) and executive branch national security determinations
  • Sensitive diplomatic balancing act regarding Israeli-Palestinian conflict status
  • 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