President Trump Will No Longer Waive Jerusalem Embassy Act

On May 8, 2019, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo informed Congress that President Donald Trump would no longer sign waivers of the Jerusalem Embassy Act [PDF version]. Although President Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on December 6, 2017, and the U.S. Embassy was moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem several months later, President Trump continued to sign waivers under the Jerusalem Embassy Act until the move was completed. Secretary Pompeo explained in his determination that “[t]he Jerusalem Embassy Act called on the Department of State to open in Jerusalem not just the offices of the U.S. diplomatic mission to Israel, but also a chief of mission residence for our Ambassador to Israel.” The United States established a chief of mission residence in Jerusalem in consultation with the Israeli government in March 2019. It is because this requirement was satisfied that the Trump Administration determined that no further waivers on the Jerusalem Embassy Act would be necessary.

Please see my earlier blog to read my thoughts on President Trump's decision to extend U.S. recognition of Israel's capital [see blog].