The United States has formally opened its embassy in Jerusalem amid global protests.
The ceremony of moving the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem began on Monday with the singing of America’s national anthem.
In his remarks, the US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman referred to the embassy’s location as “Jerusalem, Israel” drawing wild applause.
The event was being held as violent clashes erupted along the Gaza Strip’s border, leaving 37 Palestinians dead from Israeli fire and hundreds wounded in the conflict’s bloodiest day in years.
Reports say 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.
US Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan led the Washington delegation at the inauguration that also included Trump’s daughter, Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, both White House aides, as well as Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin.
Israel considers the entire city its capital, while Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.
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