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 that would have mandated moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and withholding State Department funds. This is the latest in a series of recurring six-month suspensions presidents have issued since 1998 to protect stated national security interests.

Federal Register Open PDF 81 FR 88973

Impact dates

  1. Six-month suspension period expires

  2. Federal Register filing date

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

Timeline

Immediate

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

Near term (90d)

  • Six-month suspension period runs through approximately June 1, 2017

Long term

  • Continued U.S. embassy remains in Tel Aviv
  • Potential future presidential determination required at suspension expiration

Risks & tensions

  • Recurrent suspension pattern since 1998; text cites 'national security interests' without elaboration
  • May face heightened scrutiny given subsequent administration's different posture on Jerusalem embassy
Presidential Determination: Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act · Executive Orders