McCain pledges to move US embassy to Jerusalem Wednesday, August 13, 2008
By: ICEJ News
Affirms 1995 Embassy Relocation Act
US Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain said on Friday he will promptly move the US embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv if elected president. The firm pledge comes in contrast to his Democratic rival Sen. Barack Obama’s vague stance on the issue of an “undivided Jerusalem.” During an interview in which he was asked about moving the embassy, McCain said, “Right way…. I’ve been committed to that proposition for years.” He added that a final resolution to the status of Jerusalem must be negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians, but this would not stop him from relocating the US embassy to the city until then. Obama said he would contemplate moving the US embassy only when Israel and the Palestinians are near a final-status peace deal. Both President George W. Bush and former president Bill Clinton also vowed to move the embassy during their initial campaigns for the White House, but both used a presidential waiver authority granted by Congress in the 1995 Embassy Relocation Act to postpone the move on national security grounds.
US Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain said on Friday he will promptly move the US embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv if elected president. The firm pledge comes in contrast to his Democratic rival Sen. Barack Obama’s vague stance on the issue of an “undivided Jerusalem.” During an interview in which he was asked about moving the embassy, McCain said, “Right way…. I’ve been committed to that proposition for years.” He added that a final resolution to the status of Jerusalem must be negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians, but this would not stop him from relocating the US embassy to the city until then. Obama said he would contemplate moving the US embassy only when Israel and the Palestinians are near a final-status peace deal. Both President George W. Bush and former president Bill Clinton also vowed to move the embassy during their initial campaigns for the White House, but both used a presidential waiver authority granted by Congress in the 1995 Embassy Relocation Act to postpone the move on national security grounds.
