As Israel gears up for the official inauguration of the US embassy in Jerusalem, the city has been subjected to road closures and heavy police presence in anticipation of Palestinian protests.
The ceremony, beginning at 4 pm on Monday, was to be hosted by the US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman.
#Jerusalem this morning. May 14, 2018.
Gepostet von Nedal Samir Hamdouna am Montag, 14. Mai 2018
According to Israeli police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld, up to 1,000 Israeli police officers will be posted around the embassy’s new location in the southwest neighborhood of Arnona and surrounding areas.
US ambassador pays tribute to President Trump's "vision, courage and moral clarity" at opening ceremony of US embassy in Jerusalem https://t.co/hpatusvTgV pic.twitter.com/sys6pfq8Op
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) May 14, 2018
US President Donald Trump addressed the ceremony via video link from Washington.
WATCH: Audience at US Embassy opening in Jerusalem watches a message from President Trump pic.twitter.com/Bn8FkHWEgQ
— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 14, 2018
The closures spread to occupied East Jerusalem, where access to the Old City has been curtailed from areas extending to it such as al-Tur, Mount of Olives, Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan.
BREAKING: US, Israeli delegations begin festive opening ceremony for new US Embassy in Jerusalem. https://t.co/CubRffnlEB
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 14, 2018
Protests have spread across the occupied Palestinian territories.
(AJE, PC, Social Media)
