What Nation Does the State Department Think Jerusalem Is In?

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden participate in the Hall of Remembrance at Yad Vashem, the Israeli Holocaust Museum, in Jerusalem, March 9, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

ASK: Was Biden in Israel during his visit to Jerusalem?!

THE WEEKLY STANDARD

3:22 PM, AUG 9, 2011 • BY DANIEL HALPER

Quick question: According to the State Department, what nation is the city of Jerusalem in? If you answered Israel, you'd be wrong. The State Department just issued the following press release: 

QUESTION: What is the State Department’s position regarding American persons born in Jerusalem who wish to have passports issued that indicate their place of birth as Israel?

ANSWER: Current U.S. Government policy is that U.S. citizens born in Jerusalem may not have “Israel” listed in their passports as their place of birth. See the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Affairs Manual 7 FAM 1300 Appendix D for further details.

Hmm. You kind of have to wonder why no one thought to inform the White House! When Vice President Biden visited Jerusalem, Israel last year, the White House helpfully provided the following caption: "Vice President Joe Biden laughs with Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, Israel, March 9, 2010."

Vice President Joe Biden laughs with Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, March 9, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

NOTE:

SO, THE QUESTION IS, WAS BIDEN IN ISRAEL DURING HIS VISIT TO JERUSALEM?  I'M BEGINNING TO THINK THIS ADMINISTRATION, INCLUDING EVERYONE IN THE WHITE HOUSE, ARE NOT THE BRIGHTEST OF LIGHT BULBS IN THE GROUP!