Here’s a picture that says a lot more than a thousand words:
The signs giving directions to the U.S. Embassy that is supposed to be moved to Jerusalem next month are a powerful reminder of the enormous step President Trump took when he announced last December he would finally acknowledge what every American president before him had evaded: that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, and the Jewish people’s eternal capital.
On Wednesday, President Trump tweeted his anticipation of the event:
That was echoed by acting Secretary of State John Sullivan, who stated:
The State of Israel has prevailed over every challenge it has faced over the past 70 years. In just a short time, the people of Israel have created a successful nation that has flourished and continues to thrive. The United States established our diplomatic presence in Jerusalem well before the State of Israel was born, over 170 years ago. This year, we look forward to opening the new Embassy of the United States in Jerusalem on May 14 which coincides with the 70th anniversary of President Truman recognizing the nascent State of Israel. Israel and the United States have an unshakeable bond that has endured and grown even stronger over the past seven decades.
The move of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv will happen in three stages: first, on May 14th — Israel’s 70th Independence Day — the U.S. will convert a U.S. consulate in the Arnona neighborhood of Jerusalem into an interim embassy. That will house the U.S. Ambassador’s office, and a small portion of the staff.
Then the Arnona compound will be expanded, with the addition of a new annex, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019. Finally, the construction of a new embassy in Jerusalem to replace the interim facility at Arnona.