Bush delays embassy move to Jerusalem [Hmm...Israel should move its embassy to New York City]

Jerusalem Post ^ | Jun. 15, 2003 | JANINE ZACHARIA

[yonif]

US President George W. Bush, who promised during the 2000 presidential race to start the process of relocating the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as soon as he took office, has postponed the move for another six months.

Citing national security concerns, Bush informed US Secretary of State Colin Powell of the decision in a memo, known as a presidential determination, on Friday.

The delay comes as the administration tries to mediate an end to a spate of violence that began last week with the killing of five Israeli soldiers and ensure Israelis and Palestinians begin implementing the road map or a two-state solution.

"My Administration remains committed to beginning the process of moving our embassy to Jerusalem," the president's statement said.

The Jerusalem Embassy Act, passed by Congress in 1995, obligated the US to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by May 31, 1999. A clause in the law allows the president to invoke a security waiver to delay the move.

[yonif]

So what are the national security concerns? Afraid the US will offend its so-called Arab Friends and Anti-Israel europe? You know, some of the State Dept. maps do not even show Jerusalem as Capital of Israel, or even any capital. Israel is the only country on the map without a capital attributed to it. I am appalled.

[yonif]

US President George W. Bush, who promised during the 2000 presidential race to start the process of relocating the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as soon as he took office, has postponed the move for another six months.

[Diogenesis]

Why the surprise. Every time they murder Americans,
Sec. Powell is out there with other State Dept "people" offering more money, weapons, help, guns, CIA help, ......

[yonif]

But notice this:

Bush informed US Secretary of State Colin Powell of the decision in a memo, known as a presidential determination, on Friday

This is a presidential decree, not the State Dept. The State Dept. is calling the shots and Bush is going with them.

And also notice this:

The Jerusalem Embassy Act, passed by Congress in 1995, obligated the US to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by May 31, 1999.

[FairOpinion]

"The Jerusalem Embassy Act, passed by Congress in 1995, obligated the US to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by May 31, 1999. "

I didn't know this. So how come nobody was questioning Clinton about this?

[Jeremiah Jr]

GeOrGe has big plans for Jerusalem, of that I have no doubt.

[Diddle E. Squat]

So what. Every time President Bush sneezes you post an article about it in Breaking News, with some snotty comment implying that he is being anti-Israel.

[kabar]

No way will any American President move our Embassy to Jerusalem as long as the Middle East negotiations continue. Until a separate Palestinian state is established and the status of Jerusalem determined, our Embassy will remain in Tel Aviv along with all of the other world embassies. We have a consulate in Jerusalem.

All of these statements by US Presidential candidates and resolutions by Congress are meant to gain Jewish-American votes.

[American in Israel]

I guess any president has the ability to override a Congressional decision. It is the point of a president,
and a King...

Guess we will have to wait and see which style Bush is in the end.

[TLBSHOW]

of course he has don't up set the PLO....

[Dave S]

On a per capita basis that would be 1123 U.S. dead, a mini 9/11

So every Israeli death in an auto accident is also the equivalent of 45 dying in a massive 100 car pileup?

Welcome to Free Republic. Your first post?

[DeepDish]

"You know, some of the State Dept. maps do not even show Jerusalem as Capital of Israel"

The state department must be buying their maps from the same company that supplies
textbooks for Trans-Jordanian schoolchidren.

Yonif, I just had a thought that when Sharon refered to the West Bank as the
"occupied territories" he was laying the groundwork for tossing Trans-Jordan back
into Jordan's lap.

[Hila]

You say Pres. Bush is not being anti-Israel? Actions speak louder: it seems that he has a policy for terrorism concerning America and that he has another policy for terrorist in Israel?

[Dave S]

You say Pres. Bush is not being anti-Israel? Actions speak louder: it seems that he has a policy for terrorism concerning America and that he has another policy for terrorist in Israel?

Hila, I dont know how to break this to you but President Bush is President of the United States, not Israel. He is not responsible for dealing with Israel's problems. He's got enough of his own.

[Courier]

If only Bush wouldn't give cause.

[swarthyguy]

Y'should learn not to believe politicians.

[yonif]

He is not responsible for dealing with Israel's problems

I hate to break it to you, but those terrorists Israel wages a war on, want the death of Americans as well. Whenever they have a parade, the two flags they burn are Israel's and America's. Furthermore, since 1967, over 60 Americans have been murdered by Palestinian Arab terrorists.

[OREALLY]

I never knew how anti-American Israel's jounalists were until I started reading Yonif's post...makes me sad.