The Trump administration will officially relocate the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May 2018, timed with Israel’s 70th Independence Day, a State Department official confirmed to The Jerusalem Post on Friday.
The official was responding to a message on Twitter by Transport Minister Israel Katz, who seemed to confirm the move would occur in the spring.
“We’re planning to open the new US Embassy to Israel in Jerusalem in May,” the US official told the Post. “The Embassy opening will coincide with Israel’s 70th anniversary.”
“The Embassy will initially be located in Arnona, on a compound that currently houses the consular operations of Consulate General Jerusalem,” he continued. “At least initially, it will consist of the Ambassador and a small team.”
US officials have been saying for months that they intend to move the embassy to Jerusalem before the end of this calendar year – a midterm election year in the US.
The State Department continues to scope out sites and architects for the construction of a larger, permanent embassy in Jerusalem.
US President Donald Trump touted his decision to move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv in a speech to a conservative action group in Washington on Friday.
“I said, ‘I have to do it, because its the right thing to do,'” Trump said, of his conversations with world leaders leading up to the decision. “The campaign against it was so incredible. But you know what, the campaign for it was also incredible.
This is just incredible, what a huge celebration there will be in Jerusalem when we celebrate Israel big birthday, 70 year old and May 13th its Jerusalem day and now also the embassy move from the Americans.
If there ever was a time to be in Israel its this spring, and I will be part of a tour with Roni Wexler, Tom Trento and The United West with special guest, Judge Jeanine Pirro from FOX.
All of this is very exciting news while at the same time things are escalating all the time up north, and war is most likely some time this year.
The IDF is in full preparation for this, no question as Israel celebrates Her birthday and with the embassy move, the Muslim world will not sit passively, this will bring things that the army is in full preparations for. The IDF Chief even went out and said this too.
2500 US soldiers are on their way to Israel to take part in a huge drill together with the IDF for almost two weeks, its all very interesting.
This is what just came out from the PA;
PLO Secretary-General Saeb Erekat dubbed the decision a “flagrant violation of international law and agreements” signed between the Palestinians and Israel. The decision will “destroy” the two-state solution, he cautioned.
Denouncing the decision as “provocative to the feelings of all Arabs and Muslims,” Erekat pointed out that the US administration’s date for moving the embassy to Jerusalem coincided with the Nakba anniversary.
Nakba (“catastrophe” in Arabic) is the word used by Palestinians to describe the establishment of Israel in 1948. “We condemn this decision in the strongest possible terms,” Erekat added. “This decision affirms that the US administration has removed itself from playing any sponsorship role in the peace process. Because of such decisions, the US has become part of the problem and therefore can’t be part of any solution.”
Well, this is only to be expected from these people, here in Israel we are rejoicing and hope that a lot of nations have the guts to also move their Embassies to Israel’s Capital, God Holy City, Jerusalem.
I just wanted to share these important news with all of you as Shabbat has begun in Israel.
Looks like I am in for some very exciting months in The Holy Land, I do have a visa that needs to be renewed and planning a visit from my dear mother also.
More details included here.
God bless Israel and all of you around the world.
Hugs and blessings from,
Jane Kiel
