ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationObama · D

Presidential Determination

Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

President Obama suspended for six months the statutory limitations in the Jerusalem Embassy Act that would have required moving the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and restricted State Department spending on diplomatic facilities, citing national security interests. The Secretary of State was directed to transmit the determination and accompanying report to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 79 FR 33839

Impact dates

  1. Suspension takes effect after transmission to Congress

  2. 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 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 to Congress

Near term (90d)

  • 6-month suspension period runs through approximately December 2, 2014

Long term

  • Continued U.S. embassy remains in Tel Aviv
  • Recurring presidential determinations likely required to maintain suspension

Risks & tensions

  • Recurring tension between congressional mandate and executive foreign policy prerogative
  • Jerusalem status remains sensitive issue in Israeli-Palestinian relations
  • Document does not specify exact transmission date to Congress, creating slight uncertainty on effective date
Presidential Determination: Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act · Executive Orders