US opens Jerusalem embassy; Israel kills 52 more Palestinians

JERUSALEM: The US on Monday opened its embassy in Jerusalem under a controversial move by President Donald Trump that has infuriated the Palestinians, who clashed with Israeli soldiers who shot dead at least 52 of them in Gaza, in the deadliest escalation of violence since 2014.

Trump announced the decision to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in December, when he formally recognised the holy city as the capital of Israel, breaking away from decades of US neutrality on the sensitive issue.

The inauguration ceremony started with the singing of the American anthem and the presentation of colours by US Marines.

US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman noted that Washington, which became the first country to recognise the State of Israel, has now taken "a step awaited, voted upon, and litigated and prayed for all these years".

"Again the United States leads the way," in relocating the embassy, he said.

The move is the result of the "vision, the courage, and the moral clarity" of President Trump, to whom we own an "enormous and eternal debt of gratitude," the US envoy stressed.

Trump, in an early morning tweet, hailed the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem as "a great day for Israel."

He did not refer to the violence in an early morning tweet but said, "A great day for Israel!"

"A historic moment: The United States Embassy is opening in our capital city Jerusalem!" said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was also present.

Meanwhile, Palestinians, who protested massively along the Gaza border clashed with Israeli forces, leading to the death of at least 37 of them.