“Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Jewish people – and the world is beginning to recognize this fact. Happy Jerusalem Day!” Barkat stated after hanging the sign.
By: United with Israel Staff
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat on Monday hung the first street sign pointing to the new residence of the US Embassy in Jerusalem.
The embassy is slated to officially open on May 14, just days after Israel celebrates the 51st anniversary of the Six Day War and the reunification of Israel’s capital.
“This is not a dream – it’s reality!” Barkat stated excitedly.
Saying that he was “proud and excited” to install the first signs for the US embassy, Barkat thanked President Donald Trump for “making this historic moment come to fruition.”
“Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Jewish people – and the world is beginning to recognize this fact. Happy Jerusalem Day!” he concluded.
A 250-person American delegation, including 40 leaders and politicians, will arrive in Israel to attend the US’ dedication of its new embassy in Jerusalem.
US Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin is leading the delegation, with other notables slated to attend the event including senior adviser to the president Jared Kushner, his wife Ivanka, Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, and US senators Ted Cruz and Lindsay Graham.
The ceremony will take place in Jerusalem’s Arnona neighborhood on May 14, which will mark the 70th anniversary of Israel’s independence on the Gregorian calendar.
The United States currently operates its Jerusalem consulate in Arnona. The new embassy will operate out of that space temporarily, and is expected to complete construction of additional office space at the compound to meet its needs. Israel announced previously that it had expedited the construction permits necessary for the embassy to open in time for the event
A brand-new embassy complex will be constructed in the coming years.
The US embassy move from Tel Aviv represents the culmination of Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and paves the way for other countries who intend to move their embassies to Israel’s capital.