SJRES 12: Jerusalem Resolution

Congress: 110 · Status: active · Israel/Palestine classification: pro-Israel

Data (JSON) — machine-readable record of this bill (identifiers, sponsor, classification, actions, and the member-by-member vote breakdown).

Official record on Congress.gov — full text, actions, and cosponsor history for SJRES 12.

Sponsor: Brownback, Sam (R-KS)

Summary

Jerusalem Resolution - Requires the United States, not later than 180 days before recognizing a Palestinian state, to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Prohibits U.S. recognition of a Palestinian state until the international community resolves the status of Jerusalem by recognizing the city as Israel's undivided capital. Expresses the sense of Congress that the citizens of Israel should be allowed, as a fundamental human right recognized by the United States and U.N. General Assembly Resolution 181 of November 29, 1947, to worship freely and according to their traditions.

Editorial Explainer

This resolution requires the U.S. to move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem within 180 days before recognizing any Palestinian state. It blocks U.S. recognition of Palestine unless the international community formally recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital. It also expresses Congress's view that Israelis have a fundamental right to worship freely in the city.

Why it matters

This would make U.S. recognition of Palestinian statehood contingent on international acceptance of Israeli sovereignty over all of Jerusalem, including areas Palestinians claim for their capital. It effectively gives Congress a say in a core final-status negotiation issue between Israelis and Palestinians.

Cosponsors (4)