Israel began the festivities yesterday ahead of the relocation of the US embassy in Jerusalem. The reception held at the Foreign Ministry, hosted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was attended by the daughter and adviser of US President Donald Trump, Ivanka, but not most of the foreign envoys may be in the country. worldwide for the US decision.
Addressing his official guests, including US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the daughter of US President Donald Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kouchner, the head of the Israeli government urged other countries to follow her example.
"Move your embassies to Jerusalem because it is the right thing to do," Netanyahu said. "Move your embassies to Jerusalem because that will push for peace, and that is exactly why you cannot base peace on lies."
In addition, the US Secretary of State and President Donald Trump's national security adviser on Sunday ruled that peace between Israel and the Palestinians remained possible, despite the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
"The peace process is certainly not dead," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an interview with Fox. "We are working hard," he said, adding that "we hope to reach a successful solution there as well."
The United States is expected to open its embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, marking the 70th anniversary of Israel's founding in 1948.
Israel announced that all 86 countries with diplomatic missions in the country were invited to the event, 33 confirmed that they would attend. Among them are representatives from Guatemala and Paraguay, who will open their embassies in Jerusalem later this month. In addition, representatives from Hungary, Romania and the Czech Republic were present, while representatives from many Western European countries were absent.
"Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for 3000 years, it has been the capital of our state for 70 years and it will remain our capital forever," said Prime Minister Netanyahu. "Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel no matter what peace deal you imagine," he said during the reception.
"The opening of the US embassy recognizes the reality after a very long period of waiting, it is also necessary to draw up a roadmap for peace in the region," said US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, who is also in Jerusalem.
"Tragically, the US Government has chosen to share the claims of Israeli exclusivity for a city that has been sacred to all religions," said a delegation from the Palestine Liberation Organization in the United States.
The relocation of the American embassy "gives life to a religious conflict instead of a dignified peace", it is stressed.