US federal courts to consider J'lem passport issue

The US Supreme Court passes back to lower courts the issue of whether Americans born in Jerusalem may list Israel on their passports.

By JTA
US passport 311 (photo credit: Thinkstock/Imagebank)
US passport 311
(photo credit: Thinkstock/Imagebank)
WASHINGTON -- The US Supreme Court returned to the lower courts the issue of whether Americans born in Jerusalem may list "Israel" on their passports.
The decision delivered Monday was a success for the family of Jerusalem-born boy Menachem Zivotofsky. His family for years has sought to force the State Department to agree to state on his passport that he was born in Israel, citing a law passed by Congress in 2002.
Former US President George W. Bush signed the law, but in doing so refused to implement it, citing executive prerogative in foreign policy. US President Barak Obama has continued that practice.
The Supreme Court, in an 8-1 decision, overruled lower court decisions that had contended that the judicial branch does not have authority over this area since it is not the courts' place to determine foreign policy.
"The courts are fully capable of determining whether this statute may be given effect, or instead must be struck down in light of authority conferred on the  Executive by the Constitution," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority.
Justice Stephen Breyer dissented.
National Jewish groups backed the Zivotofskys and submitted friend of the court briefs on their behalf.
Among the first groups to welcome the latest decision was the Orthodox Union.
"With the ruling by the high court, Congressional policy on Jerusalem, ignored by successive Administrations, will get its day in court," the OU said in a statement.


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