Every six months ...
President Obama and his family did the traditional lighting of the White House Christmas tree Wednesday on the Ellipse. That same day he continued the more recent, lower-key tradition, begun by Bill Clinton and followed by George W. Bush, of approving a waiver every six months to legislation that calls for the government to begin moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.This, of course, is not remotely a surprise, or even news at this point. I'm just noting it, as I've been doing for several years now. This WaPo report, at least, has a certain wistfulness about it.
The 1995 measure, passed overwhelmingly by the House and Senate, contains a temporary opt-out provision if the president feels it's important to put off the move "to protect the national security interests of the United States." Bush would sign it but say that he remained committed to beginning the process of moving the embassy. Obama, who signed his first waiver this summer, didn't talk last week about his commitments.
So the trucks continue to stand by, waiting for the certain next waiver.
Check out the photo and its caption.
