The head of a Messianic Jewish ministry says it’s ironic that President Obama is prepared to open an embassy in Havana but still refuses to relocate the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

“We’re establishing recognition of a capital in a country that is repressive, communistic, torturing its people – whereas Israel is a symbol of freedom and democracy in the Middle East,” observes Jan Markell, founder and director of Olive Tree Ministries.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz recently chastised President Obama for once again delaying the implementation of U.S. law 104-45, passed by the 104th Congress, which calls for the relocation of the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Israel’s capital.

The law required the move to take place by May 31, 1999 – 16 years ago.

Cruz, currently a candidate for the GOP presidential nomination, also pointed out that while refusing to move the embassy in Israel, Obama has announced plans to open an embassy in Havana, Cuba.

“I’m a huge Ted Cruz fan. I make no excuses about it,” says Markell. “And I do think [that] he has been speaking up for Israel even before he was a candidate.”

She predicts that Cruz is the mostly likely candidate who would follow through on the law.

Moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem has just not been politically correct, says Markell. Write me with comments or questions: [email protected]