Green, Blackburn Call for Relocation of U.S. Embassy in Israel

Press Release

On Wednesday, Representatives Gene Green (D-TX) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced H. Con. Res. 62, expressing the Sense of Congress that the United States Embassy in Israel should be located in Jerusalem.

In 1995, the United States Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act requiring the President to move the United States embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The legislation was passed to secure American recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Unfortunately, successive administrations have used a Presidential waiver authority, included in the bill, to delay that transfer due to national security concerns. However, today Jerusalem is a safe and secure city where we safely have maintained a large and busy consulate.

"Israel is America's greatest ally in the Middle East and Jerusalem, its capital, is the cornerstone of Israeli history and the center point for religious freedom and worship," Green said. "As an ally, we must recognize and support our friends by moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Congress agreed to this measure with overwhelming bipartisanship 20 years ago, this should not be politicized or delayed any further."

"Throughout its history, Israel has always been a proven ally of the United States and freedom-loving nations throughout the world," said Blackburn. "In a time when the Middle East is becoming increasingly volatile, Israel remains a source of stability and peace in the region. It is past time for the United States to strengthen its diplomatic relationship with Israel and move our embassy to Jerusalem in recognition of its status as the capital city."

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