[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 195 (Thursday, November 30, 2017)]
[House]
[Page H9562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MOVE THE U.S. EMBASSY TO JERUSALEM
(Mr. GAETZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, the Jerusalem Embassy Act, signed by
President Clinton, requires the American Embassy in Israel to be moved
to Jerusalem. But this law also allows the President to waive the act
every 90 days, which has happened ever since.
This Friday, President Trump must decide to sign another waiver or to
honor our friend and ally, Israel. I rise to call on President Trump to
move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is the eternal, undivided capital of Israel, yet our
Embassy is in Tel Aviv. This is disrespectful, dismissive, and wrong.
It sends the message that Israel cannot designate its own capital city.
Some claim that moving the Embassy threatens peace between Israel and
Palestinians. But the Palestinian Authority does far more to jeopardize
peace than the location of our Embassy. They name schools after
terrorists and Nazis, teach children that the murder of Jews is noble,
and they pay the salaries of terrorists.
Moving our Embassy will tell the Palestinian Authority that their
days of denying Israel's existence are over, and that they must become
a partner in peace.
Mr. Speaker, the time is now. It is time to honor our promise to
Israel and to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem.
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