U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Dean Heller (R-NV) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) this week introduced The Jerusalem Embassy and Recognition Act, legislation that would fulfill America’s commitment to Israel to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The bill differs from past legislation in that it creates a freeze of certain State Department funds until the relocation is complete.
“Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Jewish State of Israel, and that’s where America’s embassy belongs,” said Rubio. “It’s time for Congress and the president-elect to eliminate the loophole that has allowed presidents in both parties to ignore U.S. law and delay our embassy’s rightful relocation to Jerusalem for over two decades.”
“My support for Israel is unwavering,” said Heller. “From my very first days as a United States senator, I have prioritized the strengthening of the important relationship shared between Israel and the United States. That’s why I’m proud to reintroduce the Jerusalem Embassy and Recognition Act. For years, I’ve advocated for America’s need to reaffirm its support for one of our nation’s strongest allies by recognizing Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel. It honors an important promise America made more than two decades ago but has yet to fulfill. While administrations come and go, the lasting strength of our partnership with one of our strongest allies in the Middle East continues to endure. My legislation is a testament to that. I’d like to thank Senators Rubio and Cruz for their support for this legislation and look forward to working with the new administration to turn this bill into law.”
“Jerusalem is the eternal and undivided capital of Israel,” said Cruz. “Unfortunately, the Obama administration’s vendetta against the Jewish state has been so vicious that to even utter this simple truth—let alone the reality that Jerusalem is the appropriate venue for the American embassy in Israel—is shocking in some circles. But it is finally time to cut through the double-speak and broken promises and do what Congress said we should do in 1995: formally move our embassy to the capital of our great ally Israel. I am pleased to cosponsor this legislation with Senator Heller and Senator Rubio, and I look forward to working with the Trump administration to make this happen.”
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer endorsed President-elect Trump’s proposal to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. “The reasons why the United States should move the embassy I think are pretty clear,” Dermer told a crowd gathered at the embassy during a Chanukah party, according to townhall.com.
“The first thing, it would send a strong message against the delegitimization of Israel and of Jerusalem…. The second reason why I think the embassy should be moved to our capital is that it would be a great step forward to peace. That’s right. A great step forward to peace,” he said.
