As border burns, Trump celebrates embassy move
President Trump and his top aides on Monday hailed the opening of the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem as a “great day,” a position that roiled the Arab world and fueled deadly protests along the IsraelPalestinian border.
The move ends — at least for now — America’s chances of becoming a neutral peace broker in the Middle East. And while the approach was swiftly condemned by Muslim world leaders, Trump’s new policy appeases a powerful proIsraeli lobby within the Republican party.
Attending the ceremony Monday was Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson, who at one point offered to pay for part of the new embassy. Also attending was Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, and her husband, Jared Kushner, who work as senior White House aides.
“While presidents before him have backed down from their pledge to move the American embassy once they were in office, this president delivered. Because when President Trump makes a promise, he keeps it,” Kushner, Trump’s chief Mideast adviser, told attendees.
The relocation of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv is U.S. recognition that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. This position has angered the Palestinians, who want East Jerusalem as a future capital.
In a video address that aired at the ceremony’s opening, Trump said the U.S. still remains “fully committed” to pursing a Mideast peace deal. Trump’s top diplomat, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, reiterated that goal in a statement calling for “lasting and comprehensive peace between Israel and the Palestinians.”
But critics of the move, including some European officials, say the U.S. decision will only serve to exacerbate tensions and make it more difficult for the U.S. to offer itself as a neutral party.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said: “This is not an embassy; it’s a U.S. settlement outpost in Jerusalem.”