US marines take part in the dedication ceremony of the new US embassy in Jerusalem on 14 May 2018. Photo: ReutersJerusalem: The United States officially opened its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem on Monday, fulfilling a pledge by President Donald Trump who has recognised the holy city as the Israeli capital. “Today we open the United States embassy in Jerusalem, Israel,” US ambassador to Israel David Friedman said at the beginning of the inaugural ceremony, attended by a US delegation from Washington and Israeli leaders. Trump’s recognition of contested Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in December outraged Palestinians, who said the United States could no longer serve as an honest broker in any peace process with Israel. Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a state they want to establish in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Source: Mint May 14, 2018 13:30 UTC