[Mhiz Rebecca]

The U.S. Embassy to Israel in Jerusalem will be
dedicated on Monday, May 14, 2018, the Department of
State has announced.
The Office of the Spokesperson for the Department said
it was proud to announce the dedication adding Amb.
David Friedman would preside over the dedication
ceremony.
It added that Deputy Secretary John Sullivan would lead
the Presidential Delegation to the historic opening along
with Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin.
Other members of the presidential delegation are Senior
Adviser Jared Kushner, Adviser Ivanka Trump, and
Special Representative for International Negotiations
Jason Greenblatt.
“As the President stated on December 6, 2017, the
historic opening of our embassy recognizes the reality
that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and the seat of its
government.
“Seventy years ago, the United States, under President
Harry S. Truman, became the first nation to recognize
the State of Israel.
“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.
“We are not taking a position on final status issues,
including the specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in
Jerusalem, nor on the resolution of contested borders,”
the department said.
It added that Consulate General Jerusalem would
continue to operate as an independent mission with an
unchanged mandate responsible for U.S. relations with
the Palestinians and the Palestinian Authority.
The department said: “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”.
While in Jerusalem as the Head of Delegation, Sullivan
would also meet with Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi
Hotovely, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General
Yuval Rotem, and members of both U.S. Embassy and
Consulate General staff.
Thenationonlineng