US opens embassy in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM: The United States officially opened its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem on Monday, fulfilling a pledge by President Donald Trump who has recognised the holy city as the Israeli capital.
“Today we open the United States embassy in Jerusalem, Israel,” US ambassador to Israel David Friedman said at the beginning of the inaugural ceremony, attended by a US delegation from Washington and Israeli leaders.
US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan led the Washington delegation that also included Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, both White House aides, as well as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
Some 800 guests were attending the ceremony.
Jerusalem’s status is perhaps the thorniest issue in the IsraeliPalestinian conflict.
Israel considers the entire city its capital, while the Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.
In a recorded message at the ceremony Trump said he remained committed to peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
“Our greatest hope is for peace,” said Trump, whose recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and relocation of the embassy to the holy city from Tel Aviv, has outraged Palestinians and drawn international concern.
“The United States remains fully committed to facilitating a lasting peace agreement,” Trump said.
“The United States will always be a great friend of Israel and a partner in the cause of freedom and peace.”