Congress votes to make US Embassy move to Jerusalem permanent

Al-Monitor Staff

US Presidential Adviser Jared Kushner (L) poses with Ambassador David Friedman (R), and his wife Tammy (C), after the unveiling of a plaque at the embassy grounds in Jerusalem on December 21, 2020. (Photo by Maya Alleruzzo / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MAYA ALLERUZZO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) — US Presidential Adviser Jared Kushner (L) poses with Ambassador David Friedman (R), and his wife Tammy (C), after the unveiling of a plaque at the embassy grounds in Jerusalem on Dec. 21, 2020. — MAYA ALLERUZZO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The US Senate voted on Thursday night to include a measure in the COVID-19 relief bill to prevent the administration of President Joe Biden from relocating the US Embassy in Israel from Jerusalem back to Tel Aviv.

Three senators, Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tom Carper (D-DE), voted against the amendment, which was introduced by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK).

The amendment was an easy pass. Despite objections from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle when former President Donald Trump ordered the US Embassy transferred to Jerusalem in 2017, Democrats shied away from the issue in the 2020 presidential race.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during his confirmation hearing last month that the Biden administration would not move to reverse the decision.

Congress votes to make US Embassy move to Jerusalem permanent

The measure, an amendment to the COVID-19 relief bill, passed the Senate easily on Thursday night.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

Continue reading this exclusive analysis

Original reporting and analysis unavailable elsewhere. Subscribe to AL-MONITOR to read this story and access everything we publish

Read By