Preparations for controversial US embassy move in Israel underway

Preparations are underway in Israel for the US embassy's controversial move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem next week.

A worker puts up a US flag next to Israel's in Jerusalem.

A worker puts up a US flag next to Israel's flag in Jerusalem. Source: Reuters

At least three "US embassy" road signs have been erected in Jerusalem ahead of next week's opening of the mission in the city, a Reuters witness said.

The signs - in English, Hebrew and Arabic - were installed by workers close to the south Jerusalem location of a US consulate building that will be repurposed as the embassy when it is officially relocated on May 14 from Tel Aviv.

Signs showing the way to the new US Embassy in Jerusalem.
Signs showing the way to the new US Embassy in Jerusalem are put up. Source: Reuters


Police have stepped up patrols in the area ahead of the move, fearing an outbreak of violence from Palestinians angry about the move. 

The embassy relocation will occur a day before the 70th anniversary of the creation of Israel, a day known by displaced Palestinians as the "catastrophe". 




President Donald Trump announced the decision to shift the embassy in December as the administration prepared its peace plan for the region. 

that Donald Trump will ask Israel to withdraw from four East Jerusalem neighbourhoods after the embassy relocation to the city's south. 

President Trump has denied that US officials told Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Liberman about the request to transfer control of four areas that would become the capital of a new Palestinian state under the US peace plan.

Mr Liberman has been in Washington visiting Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and adviser, and Middle East envoy, Jason Greenblatt.  


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2 min read
Published 7 May 2018 6:22pm
Updated 7 May 2018 8:04pm
By Rosemary Bolger
Source: Reuters, SBS


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