• A mass attempt by Palestinians to breach the border fence between Israel and Gaza, above, took a violent turn as Israeli forces killed at least 55 Palestinians and wounded 2,700 others, Gaza officials said. Barely 40 miles away, in Jerusalem, Ivanka Trump and other American officials celebrated President Trump’s formal relocation of the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv. Another contradiction: Two American evangelical pastors who took part in the opening ceremony have made inflammatory comments about Jews. Today, on the 70th anniversary of its declaration of independence, Israel has arguably never been more powerful, militarily or economically. But it remains estranged from its Arab neighbors, with a prime minister ensnared in corruption scandals and a future wrapped in uncertainty.

Source: New York Times May 15, 2018 04:22 UTC