Letter to President Clinton: Postpone Moving US Embassy to Jerusalem

~May 5, 1999~

May 5, 1999

The Honorable William J. Clinton
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

As the representatives to Churches for Middle East Peace from our denominations and organizations, we are writing to urge you to invoke a national security waiver under the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 that would allow the United States to postpone moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Your willingness to take this step in the past is appreciated, and we call upon you to do so again.

Your call on April 26 for an extension of the peace process and a quick move to final status talks brings renewed hope for a negotiated resolution of those issues. It continues to be absolutely essential that the United States adhere to its long held policy regarding Jerusalem and the location of the U.S. embassy. With Israeli elections approaching and the Wye River agreements not yet fully implemented, even the impression that any change is underway must be avoided. We oppose any interim measures that could be interpreted as a change in policy toward Jerusalem prior to its determination through negotiations. The result would likely be violent confrontations and a diminution of the leadership-role of United States in the anticipated final status talks.

We support your administration's insistent opposition to Israel's unilateral actions that are intended to change the demographics and character of Jerusalem and the West Bank. Yet, the confiscation by Israeli authorities of East Jerusalem identity cards, the demolition of Palestinian homes and the vigorous promotion of settlements continue. Additionally, we urge your heightened attention to the Israeli effort to force the closure of international NGOs and Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem that are an integral part of Palestinian civil society and hope for the future.

Churches for Middle East Peace supports a permanent resolution that respects and adequately meets the national and human rights of both Israelis and Palestinians as well as the rights of the three religious communities - Jews, Christians and Muslims. We urge the United States government to call upon negotiators to move beyond exclusivist claims and to strive through negotiations to create a Jerusalem that is a sign of peace and a symbol of reconciliation.