BEVERLY HILLS, May 15, (THEWILL) – The United States has formally opened a new consulate in Jerusalem amid global protests.
The ceremony of moving the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem began on Monday with the US national anthem.
US ambassador to Israel David Friedman then spoke and President Donald Trump was given a standing ovation when he mentioned him.
Friedman referred to the embassy’s location as “Jerusalem, Israel” drawing wild applause.
Earlier in the day, violent clashes erupted along the Gaza Strip’s border, leaving 55 Palestinians dead from Israeli fire and thousands wounded in the conflict’s bloodiest day in years.
The dead included eight children under the age of 16, according to the Palestinian envoy to the United Nations. The Gazan health ministry provided the overall death and injury toll.
Tens of thousands had gathered near the border in protest while smaller numbers of stone-throwing Palestinians approached the fence and sought to break through, with Israeli snipers positioned on the other side.
The embassy inauguration nonetheless went on as planned, attended by a Washington delegation that included US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, both White House aides.
US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan led the Washington delegation at the inauguration as well as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
Ivanka Trump helped declare the new embassy open and a plaque and seal were unveiled before the 800 guests at the ceremony.
Trump addressed the ceremony by video.
“Our greatest hope is for peace,” he said despite the Palestinian anger the move has provoked.
“The United States remains fully committed to facilitating a lasting peace agreement.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Trump in his address that “by recognising history you have made history”.
