6.08.2015

Look Out! We Have A Supreme Court Decision That Deals With Jerusalem!


The issue in a nutshell:

Since 1948, the United States has declined to recognize any country as having sovereignty over the holy city of Jerusalem.  But in 2002, Congress passed a law that instructed the Secretary of State, upon request, to list the birthplace of a U.S. citizen born in Jerusalem as “Israel” on his passport.  President George W. Bush signed the law, but at the same time he issued a statement – known as a “signing statement” – in which he protested that the law “interferes with the President’s constitutional authority to conduct the Nation’s foreign affairs and to supervise the . . . executive branch.”

The child at the heart of today’s case, Menachem Zivotofsky, was born in Jerusalem in 2002 to U.S.-citizen parents.  When his parents applied for a passport for him, they asked – consistent with the then-new law — to have his place of birth be designated as “Israel” on his passport.  When the State Department refused, the family brought this lawsuit

Thought #1:  I didn't know the U.S. hasn't recognized Israel as having sovereignty over Jerusalem.

But let's keep going. The Court's decision:  Passport's must say "Jerusalem" and not "Israel".


Thought #2: So Obama is turning his back on Israel again?!!! Let's hear from the dissent!!:


Attaboy!!! You tell him!!! . . . . Oh, wait. They're talking about George W. Bush.