Congressman Leonard Lance

Representing the 7th District of New Jersey

Lance: Move American Embassy to Jerusalem

Jan 9, 2017
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07), Chair of the Republican Israel Caucus, today announced he has introduced legislation that would facilitate the relocation of the United States Embassy in Israel to the capital city of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Jewish State.  The presence of a United States embassy sends a message and symbolizes our diplomatic relationship.  It should stand in the Israeli capital of Jerusalem, not in a compromise location.  Our embassies stand in nations’ capitals across the world - except in Israel.  It is time we pass legislation to allow the establishment of an embassy in Jerusalem.  It will send a strong message to the Jewish people and those who wish Israel harm that the United States stands with our great ally,” said Lance after introduction.

Lance’s Jerusalem Embassy and Recognition Act was previously introduced by former Congressman Scott Garrett (NJ-05).  Lance decided to take up the pro-Israel legislation after recent Obama Administration actions that Lance believes have weakened the U.S. –Israeli relationship.  Last month, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations did not use the U.S.’s veto power in the U.N. Security Council to block Resolution 2334, which categorized the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, as “occupied territory.”  Lance believes the U.S. needs to be taking action proactively to reaffirm the U.S.’s longstanding support for the only true democracy in the Middle East. The measure recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and requires the U.S. Embassy to be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.