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Deadly Protests in Gaza Ahead of Jerusalem Embassy Opening

Cortney O'Brien
Cortney O'Brien  |  May 14, 2018 8:45 AM

UPDATE: Over 50 protesters are now reported dead.

UPDATE: The number of deaths near the Gaza-Israel border has risen to 37. Over 1,500 are injured.

ORIGINAL POST

Monday is opening day for the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem. The ceremony, as advertised by President Trump himself, will begin within the hour.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared it an "amazing day" and thousands of Israelis are cheering the move.

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Unfortunately, as expected, protests have erupted in the Gaza Strip, where over 35,000 rioters have amassed. Israeli troops have killed over two dozen Palestinians who got too close to the border fence. It marks the deadliest day in Gaza in four years.

President Trump announced the U.S. embassy in Israel would move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem back in December. It cost the U.S. a relationship with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, but cemented our friendship with Netanyahu.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin defended the administration's action Monday, noting the embassy move is a U.S. "national security priority." 

Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act back in 1995. Yet, no president was able to enforce the relocation until No. 45. His supporters note that it's a campaign promise kept. 

"We are opening it many years ahead of schedule," Trump said in a prerecorded video address that aired during the opening ceremony. "Our greatest hope is for peace."

In his own remarks, Netanyahu thanked Trump for following through on his pledge.