US Embassy in Jerusalem opens Monday, May 14
- The US is set to open its embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, May 14
- The embassy is being moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem following Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital
- Palestinians are reportedly gathering for a protest along the perimeter fence that separates Israel and the Gaza Strip on Monday as the embassy officially opens
Despite controversies and series of protests that trailed President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the United States is set to open its new embassy in the Jerusalem city on Monday, May 14.
BBC reports that top US officials will attend the event, including President Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner.
Donald Trump's decision to move the embassy from Tel Aviv has angered Palestinians, who claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.
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President Trump's decision last year to recognise it as Israel's capital broke with decades of US neutrality on the issue and put it at odds with most of the international community.
Legit.ng gathered that a small interim embassy will start operating on Monday, May 14, inside the existing US consulate building in Jerusalem.
A larger site will be reportedly found later when the rest of the embassy moves from Tel Aviv.
The opening ceremony was brought forward to coincide with the state of Israel's 70th anniversary.
President Trump is expected to address those attending Monday's event via video link.
The European Union (EU) has voiced strong objections to the embassy move.
In his reaction, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on "all countries to join the US in moving their embassies to Jerusalem".
However, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has described Trump's decision as the "slap of the century".
BBC reports that thousands of Palestinians are gathering for a protest along the perimeter fence that separates Israel and the Gaza Strip on Monday.
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Legit.ng earlier reported that President Trump announced that Jerusalem would now be recognised as the capital of Israel by the United States of America.
Trump announced the decision in a speech at the White House on Wednesday, December 6.
The US president stated that the development would advance the Middle East peace process and that it was ‘long overdue’.
He further disclosed that if approved by both the Israelis and the Palestinians, the US would support a two-state solution.
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Source: Legit.ng
