White House Announcement on Jerusalem

President Trump recently signed the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 into law.

The Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey and Jewish Community Relations Council of Southern New Jersey share the views of The Jewish Federations of North America, who issued the following statement:

“Today, the U.S. administration announced a plan to move the Embassy of the United States in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, honoring a bipartisan commitment made over 20 years ago in the Jerusalem Embassy Act. The U.S. administration also proclaimed its recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The Jewish Federations of North America welcomes this decision, as it upholds our long-standing policy. We also welcome the affirmation of a two-state future negotiated between the parties in which Israelis and Palestinians live side by side with secure and recognized borders.”

JFNA’s predecessor organization first endorsed this legislation in 1994. Below is some additional background information.

BACKGROUND 

The Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 is law. However, because presidents have claimed a waiver on the grounds of national security — the Act includes a provision that gives the president waiver authority to suspend the cutting of some funds to the State Department, as outlined in the text of the Act, “if he determines and reports to Congress in advance that such suspension is necessary to protect the national security interests of the United States” — the Act has yet to be implemented. Presidents have also thought the Act itself was a constitutional issue, viewing it as a congressional infringement on the executive branch's constitutional authority over foreign policy.

JFNA’s William Daroff interviewed The Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Dr. Robert Satloff on this topic in January; here is a set of videos from that conversation. Topics covered include why moving the embassy is such a big deal. Please watch and share the videos.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information, please read Dr. Satloff’s written analysis on the topic and this Foreign Policy magazine article.​

Why Trump is right in recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's Capital (Alan Dershowitz/The Hill)

Statement from The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (of which JCRC is a member of) on the President's decision.