Following predecessors' footsteps, US president tells Congress embassy to stay in Tel Aviv due to national security interests; omits obligation to relocate to capital city in future; US Embassy stays put.
Following the practice of his predecessors, President Barack Obama has invoked US national security interests to notify Congress he will not move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The notification is necessary under a 1995 law that authorized the embassy's relocation but left the decision to presidents. Bill Clinton and George Bush submitted similar notifications to Congress. Under the law, such declarations must be made every six months.
Obama also issued them during the first two years of his administration. The location of the embassy is sensitive in Mideast peace negotiations because both Israel and Palestinians claim it as their capital.
While Clinton and Bush had indicated a commitment to moving the embassy at some point, Obama's notification does not contain that language.
In his Mideast policy speech two weeks ago, Obama acknowledged that the issues of Jerusalem and refugees remain emotional stumbling blocks to achieving peace, but said that in order to achieve progress both sides must move forward with talks about territory and security.
Source YNetNews
Our comment:
We urge our Minister of Foreign-Affairs, the Jewish Uri Rosenthal, to move [relocate] the Dutch Embassy as soon as possible to Jerusalem!
Stumbling Block?!
Do you know what God makes the real stumbling block for all nations and for the rulers of the earth, like Obama (Psalm 2:2)???
Jesus/Yeshua!
"Look! I’m putting a stumbling block in Zion, which is a rock that offends people. And the one who has faith in him will not be put to shame." (Romans 9:33)
"but we preach Christ/Yeshua crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles." (1 Corinthians 1:23)
Jerusalem, a Stone?!
God, the Lord, makes Jerusalem:
"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it."
(Zechariah 12:2,3)
