Deep State Resisters At State Dept. Defy Jerusalem Directive

FrontPageMag ^ | Dec 12, 2017 | Ari Lieberman

[Oshkalaboomboom]

Following President Trump’s historic declaration recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, West Bank and Gazan Arabs took to the streets in rage. They burned U.S. and Israeli flags. They cursed America, Israel and the Yahuds (Jews). Their imams cited verses from the Koran and the Hadiths about the usurpers and interlopers and the “descendants of apes and pigs.” In other words, it was business as usual for the Palestinians. Nothing had changed.

At the State Department too, it was business as usual. In a transparent effort to placate the Arab bloc, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the process of moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would take several years. Tillerson is said to have counseled Trump against recognition.

Then, at a Washington DC press briefing on December 7, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Satterfield was evasive when asked by AP journalist Matt Lee, “what country is Jerusalem in.” Satterfield acknowledged that Jerusalem was the capital of Israel but paradoxically could not say definitively that Jerusalem was located in Israel. Satterfield went on to note that consistent with current State Department policy, U.S. citizens born in Jerusalem would not be able to state their place of birth as “Israel” on their passports. The only options currently available to U.S citizens born in Jerusalem are to note either “Jerusalem” as their place of birth or if born prior to 1948, “Palestine.”

This then is the absurdity that the White House must contend with. It appears that the State Department, staffed with a cadre of career civil servants and employees of the diplomatic corps, is conducting its own foreign policy, one that deviates from the goals of the White House and undermines its objectives. This group is perhaps more fanatical in its opposition to the president’s historic declaration than some Arab leaders.

Their resistance is motivated by a myriad of reasons. Some simply hate Trump and this offers an opportunity to engage in obstructionism. Some are deeply anti-Semitic and their sympathies lie squarely in the Arab camp. Others view change and bold action as a threat and prefer the status quo. Whatever their motivations, they are working in concert to delay and obstruct the president’s bold new policy initiatives aimed at supporting a loyal ally and acknowledging reality while at the same time breaking the deadlock and reviving an anemic peace process based on a foundation of truth.

This isn’t the first time that the White House was confronted with such obstructionism from the State Department. In 1948, Secretary of State George C. Marshall vehemently opposed U.S. recognition of the nascent state of Israel and attempted to subvert President Harry Truman’s desire to extend diplomatic recognition. He told Truman that if Truman extended recognition, he would not be able to vote for him in the next presidential election. A statement like that represents a direct challenge to the president and is tantamount to a threat to resign. Ultimately, Truman took the morally correct path, disregarded Marshall’s protestations and extended de-facto recognition (de-jure recognition was extended in 1949) while Marshall continued to serve as Secretary of State.

The State Department’s current position as enumerated by Satterfield is also inconsistent with the will of Congress. In 2002, Congress passed the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. Section 214(d) of the FRAA states in relevant part “For purposes of the registration of birth, certification of nationality, or issuance of a passport of a United States citizen born in the city of Jerusalem, the Secretary shall, upon the request of the citizen or the citizen’s legal guardian, record the place of birth as Israel.”

In 2015, a divided Supreme Court struck down the law stating that Congress had overstepped its bounds when it passed the bill. Justice Kennedy, who issued the majority decision in Zivotofsky v. Kerry, stated that the power to recognize foreign nations rests with the executive branch of government and the ability to determine what a passport says is part of this power.

The Supreme Court’s ruling put the matter to rest temporarily but Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital revives the issue. The State Department will be hard pressed to defend its position in light of the new political reality.

While the State Department can obstruct, impede and delay, it is ultimately Trump who has the final say. He must demand progress reports from the State Department to ensure that those entrusted with the embassy move are taking the necessary steps to relocate the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in expeditious fashion. As for the passport issue, Trump can easily remedy this area of discord by issuing a clear and unambiguous directive to his secretary of state to permit U.S. citizens born in Jerusalem to list Israel as their birthplace on official documents.

[Oshkalaboomboom]

It's getting to the point where referring to someone you disagree with as Deep State is making the term as meaningless as all of the other cute sayings that have come and gone over the years.

[faithhopecharity]

Yes indeed. But president Trump either Drains the Swamp or else the alligators will continue to subvert his presidency and eat him alive.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Oshkalaboomboom.

The State Department’s current position as enumerated by Satterfield is also inconsistent with the will of Congress. In 2002, Congress passed the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. Section 214(d) of the FRAA states in relevant part “For purposes of the registration of birth, certification of nationality, or issuance of a passport of a United States citizen born in the city of Jerusalem, the Secretary shall, upon the request of the citizen or the citizen’s legal guardian, record the place of birth as Israel.” In 2015, a divided Supreme Court struck down the law stating that Congress had overstepped its bounds when it passed the bill. Justice Kennedy, who issued the majority decision in Zivotofsky v. Kerry, stated that the power to recognize foreign nations rests with the executive branch of government and the ability to determine what a passport says is part of this power.

[RitaOK]

The take away is that this is, in every respect, President Trump’s State Department. It is his charge to be carried out, there. I doubt the president has any reason to know these absurd conditions at State, against Israel even exist.

Perhaps this column will inform him. It has informed me. If true, it will be fixed by Trump.

[Eleutheria5]

This is easy. Anyone at State who refuses to follow Trump’s directives gets fired. SOS Marshall was opposed to recognizing Israel altogether, but when Truman said “jump,” he did.

[Dagnabitt]

It doesn’t take years to move the embassy to Jerusalem. We already have an office there, the U.S. Consulate General.

Just change the sign out front to “Embassy”.

Do it yesterday.

[familyop]

Will those individuals be fired, or is the Executive Branch controlled by the Judicial Branch with lawsuits, judicial decisions and other tactics? We already know that the Legislative Branch is controlled by the many lawyers sitting in it.

[MarvinStinson]

It appears that the State Department, staffed with a cadre of career civil servants and employees of the diplomatic corps, is conducting its own foreign policy, one that deviates from the goals of the White House and undermines its objectives. This group is perhaps more fanatical in its opposition to the president’s historic declaration than some Arab leaders.

[Lionheartusa1]

,,,,,, don’t let the door hit you in the ass ,, bye !

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you'd like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

I don't quite see how this can be resisted short of actions that are cause for termination or worse. Other than private disagreement, of course, perhaps the President's mind can be changed. At the risk, of course, of being replaced by those of a similar mindset.

[Yosemitest]

Time to hand down some SEVERE PENALTIES, and take it out of THEIR paychecks !

[Diogenesis]

They are always sad and regretful AFTER
their treason and sedition are CAUGHT.

They must be indicted, tried, and punished.
Their freedom must be taken and their pensions seized.

[MayflowerMadam]

“...the State Department, staffed with a cadre of career civil servants and employees of the diplomatic corps, is conducting its own foreign policy,...”

This is insane. The FBI / dossier / Ohr / McCabe / Mueller / Sessions / etc. is insane. Enough already. Trump has had 11 months to use his position and authority to eliminate his saboteurs and install competent patriots in those positions. Starting 1/20/18 I’m done defending him if things don’t improve.

A Christmas gift multi-person perp walk would make me happy. I keep hoping that Sessions isn’t really asleep at the wheel and that he’s conducting major investigations to arrest about 20 people om Christmas Eve.

[Yosemitest]

It's like we're LIVING at the start of "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace" ... when the government no longer works !

READ or LISTEN TO the words of Judge Roy Moore's poem below

Judge Roy B. Moore One nation under God revised version adapted to music ( 5:14 )


One Nation Under God
By Judge Roy Moore

‘One Nation Under God’ was their cry and declaration.
Up on the Law of “Nature’s God” they build a mighty nation.
For unlike men before them who had walked this Earthly stop,
These men would never question the sovereignty of God.
That ‘all men were created’
was a truth self-evident.
To secure the rights God gave us
was the role of government.
And if that government became destructive to this end,
It was their right, their duty,
A new one to begin.


And from the grave their voices cried
”A victory has been won !
Just glorify the Father, as did His only Son !
When your work on Earth is done,
And you traveled where we’ve trod,
You’ll leave the land we’ve left to you
’One Nation Under God’ “


With firm reliance on Divine Providence for protection,
They pledged their sacred honor and they sought His wise direction.
They lifted ’an appeal’ to God for all the world to see.
Declared their “Independence”, forever to be free.

I’m glad they’re not here with us
To see the mess we’re in.
We’ve given up our ‘righteousness’
For indulgent sin,
When abortion isn’t murder,
And sodomy is right,
When evil is now called good,
And the darkness is the light.


And from the grave their voices cried
“A victory has been won !
Just glorify the Father, as did His only Son !
When your work on Earth is done,
And you traveled where we’ve trod,
You’ll leave the land we’ve left to you
’One Nation Under God’ “


Truth and Law were founded on the Law of All Creation
True lawmen now denied the truth, and he calls it ”Separation”.
No longer does man key to God when he’s in full control.
The only truth self-evident is in the latest poll.

But with man as his own ‘master’,
We’ve failed to count the cost.
Our precious freedom’s fanning
And our liberty is lost.
Our children cannot pray as they’re taught ‘evolution’.
Will they learn ‘the fear of God’ is the only true solution ?


(talking)

Well our schools have become the battle ground.
While all across the land
Christians shrug their shoulders,
And are afraid to take a stand.

Now can we be indifferent,
And not feel any change,
For blood and tears that have been checked,
Have they fell … all in vain ?

(singing)

And from the grave their voices cried
“The victory has been won !
Just glorify the Father, as did His only Son !
When your work on Earth is done,
And you traveled where we’ve trod,
You’ll leave the land we’ve left to you
’One Nation Under God’ “

[BOBWADE]

These federal employees need to either follow the directive of the president, or find another job. If they cannot follow instructions, they should be fired.

[Eleutheria5]

He should replace them. Period. This is insubordination.

[Jimmy Valentine]

Trust in the President. Even Hercules couldn’t clean the Augean stables in one day.

[Ancesthntr]

Satterfield went on to note that consistent with current State Department policy, U.S. citizens born in Jerusalem would not be able to state their place of birth as “Israel” on their passports. The only options currently available to U.S citizens born in Jerusalem are to note either “Jerusalem” as their place of birth or if born prior to 1948, “Palestine.”

---

I cannot wait for someone to sue the state department on this issue. The Court ruling in the Zivotofsky case was clear: only the executive branch can make this decision. Well, the chief executive has now made the decision that Jerusalem is part of Israel. There is no sort of Twisted logic that anyone can offer which calls a place the capital of the country, and simultaneously says that that place is not part of that same country.

As for the various State Department officials who refuse to implement policy handed down from the elected president of the United States, I believe that they should not be fired. They should instead be transferred to our newest State Department facility in Deadhorse, Alaska. Of course, the State Department has priorities and limited funds, so that facility is just a few Quonset Huts surrounded by a fence, and will not be fully heated until sometime after the embassy in Jerusalem is completed.

[Karliner]

Foggy Bottom has always had their own agenda(s). I don’t know how you’d drain that swamp of snakes. Maybe a few runs with the A-10 warthog?

[prophetic]

I’ve heard for many years that the State dept is full of communists disguised as diplomats.