70% of guests refused to attend the inauguration of the US Embassy in Jerusalem
(Baonghean.vn) - Despite the opposition of many countries around the world, at exactly 4:00 p.m. (local time), or 8:00 p.m. (Vietnam time) on May 14, the US opened its Embassy in Jerusalem.
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The US inaugurated its embassy in Jerusalem with the participation of many officials from both countries. Photo: AP. |
About 800 people attended the ceremony, led by US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan.
Also in the US delegation were White House aide Ivanka, President Donald Trump's daughter, Kushner, and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Although he did not attend the ceremony, US President Donald Trump delivered a video address to the guests.
The ceremony witnessed speeches by US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan.
Although welcomed by Israel and some countries, many countries, including US allies, have opposed the US move.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said 86 foreign ambassadors to Israel were invited to attend the ceremony, but 70% of the guests refused to attend.
British Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman confirmed that the country has no plans to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, while emphasizing that London disagrees with the US decision to move the embassy.
Although it is called the opening of a new embassy, in fact the US is only temporarily moving the new embassy with a small group of staff to the existing consulate in the Arnona area of Jerusalem until a new area is found to build an additional office complex before the end of 2019, allowing the ambassador and diplomatic staff to live and work.
The opening of the US Embassy in Israel in Jerusalem is a step to "realize" US President Donald Trump's statement late last year when he recognized this holy land as the capital of Israel./.
