Nations divided over whether to attend opening ceremony of US embassy in Jerusalem
European nations are lining up on opposite sides of the political aisle as the grand opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem date approaches…but Australia will not be there.
A woman walks near the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem’s Arnona neighborhood on May 13, 2018. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
Of the 86 national diplomatic corps that were extended an invitation to the embassy opening, 40 have responded that they will attend, including the ambassadors from Hungary, Czech Republic, Austria and Romania.
However, some countries have declined invitations, citing both ideological and technical reasons, including Russia, Germany, Ireland, Malta, Mexico, Portugal, Australia, Poland and Sweden.
The European Union as a whole has come out against U.S. President Donald Trump’s official recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel. The entity drafted a resolution to condemn the Dec. 6 decision, but the measure was blocked by the Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary, according to Israel’s Channel 10 news.
The official U.S. embassy inauguration in Jerusalem’s Arnona neighborhood on May 14 will be presided over by U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman. It will also feature U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan, Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin, senior adviser to the president Jared Kushner, the president’s daughter Ivanka Trump and Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Reuven Rivlin and a host of top Israeli officials will attend.
“Seventy years ago, the United States, under President Harry S Truman, became the first nation to recognize the State of Israel,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement released Saturday. “Moving our embassy is not a departure from our strong commitment to facilitate a lasting peace deal; rather, it is a necessary condition for it.”
The statement added that “the United States continues to support the status quo with regard to the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount. The administration is firmly committed to pursuing a lasting and comprehensive peace between Israel and the Palestinians that promises a brighter future for both.”
JNS
I am disgusted at the Australian government. Our embassy should already be moving to join the US in Jerusalem, instead of moving into a PC cul de sac.
European nations are lining up on opposite sides of the political aisle as the grand opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem date approaches…but Australia will not be there.
Who cares?
Your ligitimation has been validated. Sometimes a mother has to stand alone to ligitimize their child so it is with Israel.
It’s only taken 70 years [a number of significance in the Torah] for the dotted line to be completed.
Rejoice!
So, Australia will not be attending the grand opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem. May I be so bold as to ask–Why?
Maybe they’re planning to open an Australian one down the track……
I’m sure now retired bishop Pat Power would be chewing his beard if he had one.
Stephen – Why was Australia not in attendance you ask?
Australia supports the UN policy that Tel Aviv is the capital of Israel as the capital of Palestine has not been resolved yet.
Further the US Consulate in Jerusalem is only being re-badged as the US Embassy. I assume that the former US Embassy in Tel Aviv will become a US
Consulate, if it is not closed.
Further it is the US Embassy in Israel so it has nothing directly to do with Australia.
President Trump did not attend either sending two family members.
It must be awfully disappointing for our community’s leaders for Malcolm Turnbull forgoing the US embassy opening thing in Jerusalem. But not as disappointing as Turnbull’s rebuttal of Trump pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal.
I don’t often agree with Henry Herzog, but his comment is completely correct. I’m sure his Labor party would be worse, but this doesn’t excuse the incumbent government for not nailing its colours to Trump’s mast.
But nice to see that Henry now loves Mr Trump. Join the righteous amongst us, Henry.