US President Bush Blocks Embassy Move to Jerusalem

Arutz Sheva ^ | 6-17-04

[SJackson]

US President Bush has, once again, suspended the relocation of the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Israel's capital, Jerusalem.

Bush did this by asserting that US national security will be harmed if he implements the US law requiring the move. Bush’s refusal to take concrete measures recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital has caused some to question the US President’s reputation as a ‘friend of Israel’.

Congress overwhelmingly approved the Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act in 1995, mandating that the US Embassy be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by May 1999 and that the US recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

During the 2000 election campaign Bush pledged that if he was elected, he would "begin the process" of moving the embassy to Jerusalem on his "first day in office." After nearly four years, there is no evidence that he has begun that process.

In a memorandum to the Secretary of State on Tuesday, Bush wrote that he has determined it is necessity to suspend the transfer of the embassy for six months in order "to protect the national security interests" of the US. "My Administration remains committed to beginning the process of moving our embassy to Jerusalem," his memorandum said.

Former US President Bill Clinton, who promised in both of his presidential campaigns to move the embassy, shied away from implementation, signing successive six-month security waivers.

After the failed Camp David talks in July 2000 - Clinton suggested in an interview with Israeli television that he was considering moving the US embassy to Jerusalem.

In reaction, Hezbullah terror chief, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah threatened that if the US moved its embassy, the Arabs would "turn your embassy into rubble and return your diplomats in coffins."

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has sharply criticized the continued failure to implement the Embassy Relocation Act, demanding to know how the recognition of Israel’s capital would harm US national security.

"The failure to recognize Jerusalem is a violation of US law and a blatant surrender to Arab terrorist threats,” ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said. “At a time when America is engaged in a life-or-death struggle with terrorists worldwide, it is especially important to implement US law on Jerusalem and thereby send a message to terrorists everywhere that America will not capitulate to their blackmail. It is President Bush's refusal to move the embassy which could undermine national security because it encourages terrorists to believe that threats and violence will force the US to change its policies."

In 1980 Israel passed a basic law claiming Jerusalem as the Jewish State’s "eternal, indivisible capital," but only two countries, Costa Rica and El Salvador, maintain their embassies in Jerusalem.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

"My Administration remains committed to beginning the process of moving our embassy to Jerusalem [but not now] to protect the national security interests" of the US. "

Yes, it's the same GW Bush. The time isn't right to get the Saudi's mad at us, national security you know.

But something will happen when I'm president: as soon as I take office I will begin the process of moving the U.S. ambassador to the city Israel has chosen as its capital

Presidential candidate
May 23, 2000
August 28, 2000
American Jewish Committee's Election 2000 Questionnaire, October, 2000

"President Bush is committed to moving our embassy to Jerusalem. The process is ongoing. We have not started any actions yet." Colin Powell, March 2001

[Clara Lou]

Bush’s refusal to take concrete measures recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital has caused some to question the US President’s reputation as a ‘friend of Israel’.
Oh, really? Maybe, just maybe, Bush and the US have enough going on right now without kicking that fireant pile. [I think Israel's capital should be Jerusalem.] It's just too bad that the "some" who question Bush's friendship can't have what they want when they want it. Leaving the our embassy at Tel Aviv doesn't threaten Israel's existence. They can wait.

[DonaldDuke]

They can wait.

Actually, it isn't up to the US to decide where to put an embassy in a foreign, sovereign country.

What Israel should do is to declare Jerusalem the only city where foreign embassies will be accepted. Foreign powers h*ll-bent on not accepting Israeli sovereignty should be told to pack up their stuff and go home.

[inquest]

Much agreed. On top of that, this is most definitely not the time to be showing weakness by refusing to do something we have a perfect right, and even obligation, to do.

[SJackson]

Congress passed the law in 1998. It's a part of the Democratic platform, but Clinton didn't do it. GWB made it a campaign promise in 2000, acknowledged it again when in office. I don't think it puts our security at risk. It's not an act of friendship, other than to the Saudis.

BTW, you may think Jerusalem is Israel's capital, Congress can pass a law about it, the Democrat's may think it, GWB may make campaign promises about it,but the fact of the matter is deep down GWB thinks it's a matter for negotiation with the palestinians. It's a false promise, the wait will be long.

[Clara Lou]

GWB thinks it's a matter for negotiation with the palestinians
I wish he would get this out of his head.

[SJackson]

GWB thinks it's a matter for negotiation with the palestinians... wish he would get this out of his head.

He'll think clearer after winning reelection.

[KC_for_Freedom]

GWB thinks it's a matter for negotiation with the palestinians. It's a false promise, the wait will be long.

The negotiation will only be successful when the terrorists, (yes, including the sweet ones, the palestinians), are dead or so defeated they believe they are dead. Win, then negotiate, Mr. President, I will be so proud of you.

[joesnuffy]

During the 2000 election campaign Bush pledged that if he was elected, he would "begin the process" of moving the embassy to Jerusalem on his "first day in office." After nearly four years, there is no evidence that he has begun that process.

Well if the plan is to give 1/2 of Jerusalem to the Philistines aka Palestinians...then if the US embassy (to Israel) is in Jerusalem it would have to be in the Israeli sector....with the Paly terrorists fsb so close...the US embassy would be an easier target for terror attacks (that are bound to come) in Jerusalem than further away in Tel Aviv

Of course we could save money by having our "new" Palestinan embassy and Israel embassy in the same town and same buiding...right on the border...that would be a nice 'peace' gesture sacrifice .. imo

[SJackson]

Well if the plan is to give 1/2 of Jerusalem to the Philistines aka Palestinians...then if the US embassy (to Israel) is in Jerusalem it would have to be in the Israeli sector....with the Paly terrorists fsb so close...the US embassy would be an easier target for terror attacks (that are bound to come) in Jerusalem than further away in Tel Aviv

Actually I think East Jerusalem is about a third, so yes, we could build an Embassy in the other 2/3, which is where we'd put it anyway. But that would "prejudge" negotiations, like saying 4 million Arabs aren't going to be allowed into Israel, so we can't do it, apparently.

[Napoleon Solo]

Here, Here. It's about time for us to put up or shut up!!

[texasflower]

What the hell is wrong with you?

We are having Americans killed right and left in Saudi Arabia.

We have a war going on right now. That was NOT anticipated when he was campaigning now was it?

No, of course not.

Here is a quote from the article.....

***In reaction, Hezbullah terror chief, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah threatened that if the US moved its embassy, the Arabs would "turn your embassy into rubble and return your diplomats in coffins."****

Maybe just maybe the President is right in that it is a national security issue whether or not to move the embassy.

Perhaps he really doesn't think there is any real benefit right now to making Americans bigger targets.

You can be a p**** about this if it makes you feel better, but I think the President is dead right about this.

[texasflower]

Has it ever occurred to you that maybe the President doesn't think putting more Americans at risk is the way to win?

Here is a quote from the article...

***In reaction, Hezbullah terror chief, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah threatened that if the US moved its embassy, the Arabs would "turn your embassy into rubble and return your diplomats in coffins."****

How about you let the President do his job? There is absolutely no reason to put more civilians at risk right now.

Winning does not mean that we just keep charging right for their homemade guillotines or bombs. That would be a very stupid waste of life.

Moving that embassy is FAR FROM URGENT RIGHT NOW. It can be moved when the time is right. Apparently this is not the right time.

When the President made the campaign promise, we had not yet been attacked. That changed a lot of things.

I don't understand one dimensional thinkers like you. Thank God President Bush has a clearer head than people like you.

[goldstategop]

I'm disappointed President Bush refuses to do the right thing and allows terrorists to dictate our policy on Israel's capital.

[carton253]

Hear! Hear! Texasflower!

I don't think I could have said it any better.

[carton253]

And what should the President do... put the embassy in Jersusalem and offer up the foreign staff that works there as sacrifical lambs in the war on terror? Will you attend their funeral and thump your chest and talk about how brave they were...

What an idiotic thing to think let alone say out loud. You are awfully free and easy with the lives of others. I'm sure that will be a comfort to their families...

Sheesh!

[carton253]

Yes, it's the same GW Bush. The time isn't right to get the Saudi's mad at us, national security you know.

Surely, someone as knowledgeable as you are on the Middle East does not believe this crap you just wrote.

As much as I am a fan of Israel...American foreign policy does not revolve around moving an embassy to Jersualem. It revolves around keeping America and Americans safe.

You can come onto a public forum and take cheap shots at the President that is your right. But, I will take the wisdom of the President not to poke the hornet's nest while he actively works to defeat the terrorists against your form of cheap bravadoism any day of the week.

[harrowup]

Has it ever occurred to you that maybe the President doesn't think putting more Americans at risk is the way to win?

The JDL gang here doesn't care about that.

They also haven't noticed that for once the United States has a great deal of company in ignoring the move from TelAviv to Jerusalem.

It would be impossible to get out of the territories and that is what it will take before the Palestinians agreee to get serious.