Jerusalem to name square near new US embassy in honor of Trump
By Tamar Lapin
May 8, 2018 | 3:06pm
A new road sign indicating the way to the new US Embassy in Jerusalem. Getty Images
Jerusalem readies for new US Embassy
A square near the controversial new US Embassy in Jerusalem will be named in honor of President Trump, the city’s mayor announced Tuesday.
“We have decided that the square adjacent to the embassy in the capital will be called ‘United States Square’ — in honor of President Donald Trump,” Mayor Nir Barkat wrote in a Facebook post, titled “Jerusalem returns the love to Trump!”
The city will hold a special ceremony at the tree-lined square following the opening of the new embassy in the neighborhood of Arnona on May 14 — the 70th anniversary of Israel’s independence, local outlet Arutz Sheva reported.
“President Trump decided to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish people,” said Barkat, “and to stand on the side of history and truth and to do the right thing. Naming this square in honor of President Trump is Jerusalem’s way of showing our appreciation of the president and the people of the United States who stand by Israel’s side.”
The square, located at the intersection of David Flusser Street and Kfar Etzion Street, was greenlit to get a formal name a year ago by the naming committee of Jerusalem, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Trump announced the plan to pluck the embassy from Tel Aviv and recognize Jerusalem as the country’s capital in December, fulfilling a campaign vow that increased already fraught tensions in the region.
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner — the president’s daughter and son-in-law — will be part of a six-person delegation in Jerusalem for the opening.
The group will also include Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and Jason Greenblatt, special representative for international negotiations.
Palestinian officials have called the move illegal and said it would thwart attempts at peace between the two states. They are trying to establish their own capital in the eastern part of the city, Haaretz reported.
By Tamar Lapin
May 8, 2018 | 3:06pm
A new road sign indicating the way to the new US Embassy in Jerusalem. Getty Images
Jerusalem readies for new US Embassy
A square near the controversial new US Embassy in Jerusalem will be named in honor of President Trump, the city’s mayor announced Tuesday.
“We have decided that the square adjacent to the embassy in the capital will be called ‘United States Square’ — in honor of President Donald Trump,” Mayor Nir Barkat wrote in a Facebook post, titled “Jerusalem returns the love to Trump!”
The city will hold a special ceremony at the tree-lined square following the opening of the new embassy in the neighborhood of Arnona on May 14 — the 70th anniversary of Israel’s independence, local outlet Arutz Sheva reported.
“President Trump decided to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish people,” said Barkat, “and to stand on the side of history and truth and to do the right thing. Naming this square in honor of President Trump is Jerusalem’s way of showing our appreciation of the president and the people of the United States who stand by Israel’s side.”
The square, located at the intersection of David Flusser Street and Kfar Etzion Street, was greenlit to get a formal name a year ago by the naming committee of Jerusalem, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Trump announced the plan to pluck the embassy from Tel Aviv and recognize Jerusalem as the country’s capital in December, fulfilling a campaign vow that increased already fraught tensions in the region.
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner — the president’s daughter and son-in-law — will be part of a six-person delegation in Jerusalem for the opening.
The group will also include Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and Jason Greenblatt, special representative for international negotiations.
Palestinian officials have called the move illegal and said it would thwart attempts at peace between the two states. They are trying to establish their own capital in the eastern part of the city, Haaretz reported.
