Moving the American Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem: Challenges and Opportunities
- Subject
- Moving the American Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem: Challenges and Opportunities
- Date
- November 8, 2017
- Time
- 10:00 am
- Place
- 2154 Rayburn HOB
PURPOSE:
- To discuss the benefits and challenges of relocating the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel-Aviv to the capital of Jerusalem.
BACKGROUND:
- In each country worldwide, the United States embassy is located in their capital; however, the U.S. Embassy in Israel is located in Tel Aviv rather than Israel’s capital of Jerusalem.
- Congress has consistently voted to support recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital. Through the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, Congress voted overwhelmingly to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem by requiring the withholding of State Department funds if the embassy is not moved. However, Presidents have exercised a national security waiver provision in the law to delay moving the embassy.
- President Trump has promised to move the embassy to Jerusalem. On June 1, 2017, President Trump signed a six-month waiver to delay moving the embassy.
- The second waiver deadline of the Trump Administration occurs on December 1, 2017.
Witnesses and testimonies:
The Honorable John Bolton
Senior Fellow
American Enterprise Institute
Document
President
Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
Document
Professor of Law
Northwestern University
Document
President
Zionist Organization of America
Document
Policy Director
Israel Policy Forum
Document