Daily Mail

Meanwhile, Ivanka snaps selfies in Jerusalem

- By Larisa Brown Defence and Security Editor

AS VIOLENCE erupted on the Gaza border 4 miles away, Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka attended the opening of the American embassy in Jerusalem yesterday.

She and husband Jared Kushner, who both work as senior advisers to the President, were part of a high-powered US delegation as Miss Trump unveiled the embassy plaque alongside treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a ‘glorious’ day and Jerusalem would always be the ‘eternal, undivided’ capital of Israel.

His justice minister hailed Mr Trump the ‘Churchill of the 21st century’ for relocating the US embassy from Tel Aviv despite widespread condemnati­on.

However, the festivitie­s sparked fury, with the Palestinia­n president Mahmoud Abbas calling the embassy a ‘US settlement outpost in Jerusalem’.

The US President hailed the move as a recognitio­n of the Jewish people’s ancient capital in a video message.

He said: ‘Congratula­tions. It’s been a long time coming.’ The new diplomatic office, in what was an existing American consular building, was opened in a ceremony led by US ambassador to Israel David Friedman.

Mr Friedman said to a standing ovation at the ceremony: ‘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 J Trump.’

The US President, who had announced the move five months ago, tweeted yesterday: ‘A great day for Israel!’

Mr Kushner, who like Ivanka is Jewish, said that Palestinia­ns participat­ing in the Gaza border protests were ‘part of the problem and not part of the solution’ – but he also claimed that ‘peace is within reach’ in the Middle East.

Mr Netanyahu, who later posed with Miss Trump and Mr Kushner for selfies, said that Israel’s relations with the US had never been stronger.

 ??  ?? Running for cover: Palestinia­ns on the Gaza border yesterday try to escape tear gas dropped by Israeli drones, above
Running for cover: Palestinia­ns on the Gaza border yesterday try to escape tear gas dropped by Israeli drones, above

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