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 mandated moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The suspension was justified on national security grounds and required transmission to Congress with a supporting report.

Federal Register Open PDF 81 FR 37483

Impact dates

Dec 1, 2016
6-month suspension period expires
Jun 1, 2016
Transmission to Congress with report (trigger for suspension taking effect)

Key directives

Suspend limitations in 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 · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Suspension takes effect upon transmission to Congress
Secretary of State directed to transmit determination and report

Near term (90d)

6-month suspension period runs through approximately December 1, 2016

Long term

Continued U.S. embassy remains in Tel Aviv
Potential future determinations required to maintain suspension beyond 6 months

Risks & tensions

Recurrent tension between congressional mandate and executive branch national security prerogatives
Jerusalem status remains sensitive in Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Semi-annual suspension pattern creates predictable political friction