FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- AUGUST 3, 2012

Contact: Esther Levens - 913 648 0022

elevens@unitycoalitionforisrael.org

 Gov. Mitt Romney spoke candidly with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
in his office on Friday, July 29th, 2012.

Along with many other supporters of Israel, the Unity Coalition for Israel (UCI) agrees with Mitt Romney's sincere and precise declaration that Jerusalem is the Capital of Israel and that the American Embassy should be in Jerusalem, not in Tel Aviv. He made the following statement during his recent trip to Israel:

"A nation has the capacity to choose its own capital city, and Jerusalem is Israel's capital. I think it's long been the policy to ultimately have our Embassy in the nation's capital of Jerusalem... I would follow the same policy we have had in the past; our Embassy would be in the capital, and the timing of that is something I would want to work out in accordance with the government of Israel." (interview with Wolf Blitzer - CNN broadcast)

Thousands of UCI activists are congratulating Governor Romney on the above statement. (See movetheusembassynow.com.)

The Jerusalem Embassy Act, overwhelmingly passed by both houses of the U.S. Congress in 1995, acknowledges that Jerusalem is the Capital of Israel; it is Public Law 104-45. The Embassy Act states clearly "the United States Embassy in Israel should be established in Jerusalem no later than May 31, 1999." It is only the continual use of presidential waivers that have prevented the move of the embassy from taking place.

Legislation now in Congress (S.1622 and H.R. 1006) would remove this waiver from the Embassy Act and permit the will of the American people to be realized. The land has been purchased and the money for the embassy has been allocated.

Mitt Romney's vocal support for the embassy move will certainly facilitate passage of these bills. All that remains now for construction to begin is for both houses of Congress to pass these bills eliminating the presidential waiver. Because the House voted to stay in session, Congress remains partially active during the usual August recess, so we can continue writing and calling them regarding S. 1622 and H.R. 1006 and hopefully gain their full attention and ACTION.

Moving the U.S. Embassy is a long overdue American commitment. The U.S. has its embassy in the capital city of every country in the world. Israel is the only exception.

Romney's support in moving the embassy is extremely important because it will symbolically demonstrate to the world the strong bond between Israel and the United States. All major institutions of Israel's government are located in Jerusalem - not in Tel Aviv, e.g. the Supreme Court, the Knesset (Parliament), the Office of the Prime Minister, and the residences and offices of most government leaders. Once the embassy is moved, other nations will be encouraged to follow the precedent of the U.S. and show world-wide support for Israel by moving their embassies to Jerusalem.

Israel's capital predates by centuries most of the countries that now have the temerity to speak disparagingly about such a move. Most were non-existent until recent years, many centuries after Israel had established Jerusalem as its capital - 3,500 years ago.

The Unity Coalition for Israel speaks for millions of Americans who support Israel as our strongest ally in the Middle East. We admire Romney's willingness to speak out on this vital issue. He has spotlighted the injustice of every President's inappropriate use of the waiver loophole. He demonstrated to his supporters and to non-supporters alike that he is determined to correct a wrong, because it is the right thing to do.

On June 5th, 2009, President Obama excised a key sentence from the waiver. "My Administration remains committed to beginning the process of moving our embassy to Jerusalem" was removed. By eliminating this phrase, he has indicated his clear opposition to Public Law 104-45.

We hope that he would change his mind if re-elected.

Esther Levens
CEO and Founder
Unity Coalition for Israel