U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem to open in May, State Department announces
Source: Politico
The United States will open its new Embassy in Jerusalem in May, a spokeswoman announced Friday, delivering earlier than expected on a longstanding yet controversial pledge made by President Donald Trump.
“In May, the United States plans to open a new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement. “The opening will coincide with Israel’s 70 anniversary.”
Trump announced last year he’d move the U.S. diplomatic compound from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem over strong objections from Palestinian officials. Jerusalem’s status remains a sticking point in peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, with each side seeking to claim the city as its capital in any two-state solution.
Last month, Vice President Mike Pence told the Israeli Parliament that the new embassy would open “before the end of next year.”
Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/23/us-embassy-in-jerusalem-to-open-may-423406
