US opens embassy in Jerusalem

The U.S. on Monday officially opened its new embassy in Jerusalem amid massive protests by Palestinians. 

The move of the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem comes five months after US President Donald Trump made an announcement of the change in December. 

The new diplomatic office, is in what was an existing U.S. consular building, was opened in a ceremony led by U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and attended by Israeli and American leaders. 

The day has also been marked by violence, with at least 37 Palestinians killed by Israeli military forces and more than 1,600 injured in massive protests at the Gaza border against the embassy move, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Today's historic event is attributed to the vision, the courage, and the moral clarity of one person to whom we owe an enormous and eternal debt of gratitude -- President Donald Trump, Friedman said to a standing ovation at the ceremony.

  
Trump also addressed the ceremony by video, but was represented in person by his daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump and son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner.

Ivanka Trump and (R) and Jared Kushner (L)

In response to the ceremony, Israeli preisdent, Benjamine Netanyahu said;

Thank you, President Trump, for your bold decision. Thank you for making the alliance between Israel and the United States stronger than ever. 

Now, you know how you recognize real leadership? It’s when others follow, and others are following in President Trump’s footsteps," he said, telling the crowd that Guatemala and Paraguay would both move their embassies later this week.

He hinted at others, quipping:

That’s a state secret, and we don’t reveal our state secrets. Sometimes we reveal other’s state secrets. We’ll let you know as time comes.

The actual building is currently used for American consular services, including passport renewals, and visa and immigration services. 

It’s located in the Jewish residential neighborhood of Arnona -- in part in no man’s land between East and West Jerusalem -- but it’s not a fortress, like the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv. It's also not a beautiful old Ottoman-era building like the current U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem, which is located closer to the Old City.

Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. But for many Palestinians, failing to make the distinction all but ignores the existence of Palestinians.

 

 

ABC News