The refusal of the State Department to recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel, and to issue passports listing Jerusalem as a birthplace in Israel, made its way to the Supreme Court.
The Court ruled that courts can decide the issue under U.S. statutes. While it appears to be an empowerment of the courts, it really is an empowerment of Congress to pass laws which the State Department has to honor.
Via WaPo:
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that the federal courts should decide whether a law that would allow Jerusalem-born Americans to list Israel as their birthplace on their U.S. passport passes constitutional muster.
The justices, on an 8-1 judgment, overturned a lower court ruling that said the judiciary could not get involved in a political fight mixing Middle Eastern politics with a dispute between Congress and the president.
“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,” said Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the majority opinion.
But because the lower courts never actually ruled on the merits of the law giving Americans born in Jerusalem the right to have Israel listed as their birthplace — only that judges should not get involved — Roberts said the high court did not have enough facts to determine the law’s constitutionality.
The decision is here.
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Comments
Eight to one…
SNAP…!!!
Another b!tch-slap from the Supremes. Maybe this explains why the Obami did not care to submit the Texas funding to the courts for determination…
Just saying, this case was filed in 2003 and was related to a law passed in 2002 and a signing statement of President Bush on that law.
Incredible!
What about if your birth certificate says Hawaii?
Which Justice was the one vote against? Figures it was Breyer.
I’d much rather comment on this or the Obamacare Monday case than on the Trayvon “Hoodie” news diversion.