Opening of Embassy lead to the deaths of 52

Some with anticipation and awe, while others with dread and anger witnessed the opening of the US embassy.

The United States opened its new embassy in Jerusalem Monday with a high-powered American presidential delegation joining Israel’s top leadership in a celebration of their countries’ friendship and the city’s history as the ancient capital of the Jewish people.

About 800 well-dressed guests packed a podium outside the former U.S. Consulate compound in southeastern Jerusalem that was rededicated as the new embassy, for the time being until a permanent site is determined.

Guests were handed red and blue baseball caps marking the occasion, the U.S. Marines presented their colours and a large video screen featured the American flag and a montage of Israeli and U.S. leaders meeting throughout the years.

For Israelis, it marked the first official recognition of their capital after 70 years. But the move infuriated Palestinians, who seek the eastern part of the city that Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war as their future capital. Also absent were the ambassadors of many European nations that opposed the move, adhering to the stance that embassies should stay in Tel Aviv until Jerusalem’s final status is resolved.

While the US Embassy was being opened one 1 side, on the other Israel-Gaza border saw the deadliest violence of all times; leading to the death of 52 people

READ ALSO: United States opens its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem

The Gaza bloodshed taking place just 70 kilometres (45 miles) away seemed the furthest thing from anyone’s mind at the feel-good ceremony in Jerusalem, focused squarely on the city’s past, present and future. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a brief mention of the Israeli military and “our brave soldiers who are protecting the border with Israel as we speak today.”

Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, also referred to the events, saying, “As we have seen from the protests of the last month and even today, those provoking violence are part of the problem and not part of the solution.”

The American delegation was led by Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan and included Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, four Republican senators, Kushner and Trump’s daughter and senior adviser Ivanka.

But it was all about Trump, whose video address drew the largest cheers and chants of “Trump, Trump, Trump.” The square at the entrance to the new embassy was named United States Square — in his honour — and large billboards lined the route there thanking Trump for “making Israel great.” Some guests were even spotted wearing “Make American Great Again” hats.

Nearly every speaker singled out the president with praise for upending decades of U.S. policy and fulfilling one of his key campaign promises of recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the American embassy there from Tel Aviv. Most compared it favourably with President Harry Truman’s decision to recognize Israel after it declared independence in 1948.

“President Trump, by recognizing history you have made history,” Netanyahu said. “Thank you, President Trump, for having the courage to keep your promises. Thank you, President Trump, and thank you all for making the alliance between American and Israel stronger than ever.”