‘Millions are Celebrating’: New U.S. Embassy Set to Open in Jerusalem Amid Threats of Violent Protest

Photo credit: Getty Images / Spencer Platt / Staff
Photo credit: Getty Images / Spencer Platt / Staff
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The new US embassy to Israel is set to open in Jerusalem today with high profile officials from the Trump administration in attendance. Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner arrived in Israel yesterday ahead of the much-anticipated opening ceremony that will take place today.

“Now, you know how you recognize real leadership? It’s when others follow, and others are following in President Trump’s footsteps,” declared Netanyahu at an event welcoming the American delegation to Jerusalem last night, as reported by ABC News.

“Thank you, President Trump, for your bold decision. Thank you for making the alliance between Israel and the United States stronger than ever.”

You can watch the ceremony live below:

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The move has been praised by Israelis but met with widespread condemnation and protest from the Palestinian community. The Palestinian authorities have been holding out hope for an official recognition that East Jerusalem is the capital of their territory, but the latest recognition by President Trump to enshrine Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has served as a devastating blow to this aim.

Meanwhile, scenes of jubilation can be seen across the city as the Jewish population gears up for what is set to be a historic opening ceremony. According to the BBC, President Trump is expected to address those attending Monday’s event via video link. Faithwire’s Managing Editor Dan Andros is in Israel covering the embassy opening.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised President Trump for his boldness in recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and has called on “all countries to join the US in moving their embassies to Jerusalem.”

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But Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called Trump’s diplomatic move the “slap of the century.” Widespread protests have been seen on the border region between Israel and the Gaza Strip in the weeks leading up to the ceremony. According to the Jerusalem Post, Palestinian protesters are planning a “major gathering” on Mon. 14.

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“The National Committee for the March of Return and Breaking the Siege calls on our people to undertake a major gathering in the eastern parts of the Gaza Strip and at friction points with the occupation in the occupied West Bank, starting at 10 in the morning on Monday,” the committee said in a statement that Islamic Jihad leader Khaled al-Batsh read out at a press conference in Gaza.

The Israeli Defence Force has described the protests as “violent riots,” noting that protestors are throwing Molotov cocktails — and even incendiary kites. Israeli officials have warned that any protestors seeking to cross the border fence are putting their lives in grave jeopardy.

https://twitter.com/DanAndros/status/995985388111089665

In another tweet, IDF said Palestinian terror organization Hamas “ultimately intends to carry out terror attacks, including a mass infiltration.” IDF added that approximately “10,000 violent rioters are currently assembled along the security fence & thousands more are approximately 0.3mi away from the security fence,” before adding that “IDF troops are operating in accordance with standard procedures.”

According to the Guardian, in the wake of the decision to relocate the US embassy, terror group Al-Qaida has called for jihad against the United States. Leader Ayman al-Zawahiri said in a video that Trump “was clear and explicit, and he revealed the true face of the modern Crusade, where standing down and appeasement does not work with them, but only resistance through the call and jihad.”

The terrorist added that 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden had declared the US “the first enemy of the Muslims, and swore that it will not dream of security until it is lived in reality in Palestine and until all the armies of disbelief leave the land of Muhammad.”

As for the ceremony itself, Pastor John Hagee, the founder of Christians United for Israel, is set to deliver the benediction at the event, while Texas megachurch pastor Robert Jeffress will preside over the prayers. But former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, himself a Mormon, is not at all happy about Jeffress taking such a central role in proceedings considering his past remarks about various religions.

Jeffress hit back at Romney’s remarks, declaring that “salvation is through faith in Christ alone” and that his beliefs are “neither bigoted nor newsworthy.”

“In that prayer, I’m going to be recounting God’s history of faithfulness to his people, the Israelites,” Jeffress told Fox News Radio. “I’m going to be thanking God for the strong leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu, who is absolutely determined to protect Israel. And I’m also going to be thanking God for our President Donald Trump, who had the courage to do what no other US President has done, and that is to officially recognize Jerusalem and to move the embassy. This is another example of promise made, promise kept.”

At a presser in Jerusalem this morning, Sen. Ted Cruz told the Israeli population that “millions around the globe” were celebrating this historic day with them.

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Several other American politicians are in attendance at the event. Alongside Sen. Ted Cruz is Sen. Lindsay Graham and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, the father of White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Huckabee posted a photo to Twitter of himself shaking hands with former Democratic Senator, Joe Lieberman.

“A day where Dems and GOP can unite to celebrate our Embassy! Good to see Sen Joe Lieberman today!” Huckabee declared.

Sen. Graham was pictured having lunch with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner prior to the ceremony.

Jerusalem’s mayor, Nir Barkat, posted a video to Twitter thanking President Trump for “bringing the U.S. Embassy to its rightful home in Jerusalem.”

“You have shown that you stand with Israel, and you stand with the truth,” he added.

“America, Jerusalem is ready for you.”

“Here in the city of King David, where Israel’s kings and prophets walked, we’re bringing Jerusalem back to its former glory. under the leadership of PM Netanyahu, here in Jerusalem, we’re preserving centuries of history,” the mayor continued.

“Be a part of making Isaiah’s prophecy come to pass: ‘nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they experience war anymore.'”

We will keep you posted with updates throughout the day as the ceremony gets underway.