So many presidents promised, none delivered.
It's a great day in Jerusalem. And the Hamas violence on the border can't change that.
The dedication of the US Embassy in Jerusalem rights a historic wrong and reaches out to a historic ally after the abuses and humiliations of the Obama years. There's a message here.
Obama made it a miserable, dangerous and risky thing to be an ally. Trump is rebuilding our alliances again. He's making it a rewarding thing to stand with the US.
If you stood with America under Obama, you got stabbed in the back at the UN. His administration would try to bring down your government and berate you in the media. What a difference an election makes.
Republicans made this happen. While Democrats universally boycotted the ceremony.
The U.S. delegation was led by Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan and included daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump and son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner. About 800 people were expected at the event, including a congressional delegation with Republican Senators Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, Dean Heller, and Mike Lee.
Kushner praised Trump in his speech.
"While presidents before him have backed down from their pledge to move the American embassy once they were in office, this president delivered -- because when President Trump makes a promise, he keeps it," Kushner said.
He also alluded to the Palestinian demonstration about 50 miles away.
"As we have seen from the protests of the last month and even today, those provoking violence are part of the problem and not part of the solution," Kushner said.
"On behalf of the 45th president of the United States, we welcome you officially and for the first time to the embassy of the United States, here in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel," Ivanka Trump said after the seal was revealed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Ivanka Trump and Kushner for their involvement on the issue and extolled President Trump, saying, "By recognizing history, you have made history."
"May the opening of this embassy in this city spread the truth far and wide, and may the truth advance a lasting peace between Israel and all our neighbors. God bless the United States of America and God bless Jerusalem, the eternal, undivided capital of Israel," the prime minister said to another ovation.
Jerusalem Week is off to an amazing start.
Deputy Secretary Sullivan: It was important 70 years ago for the United States to take the lead on recognizing #Israel as a country. We think it's important now for the United States to take the lead on recognizing #Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. #USEmbassyJerusalem
#USEmbassyJerusalemhttps://t.co/f1SFvrkcAH
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 14, 2018
It was in Jerusalem that King David consecrated the capital of the Kingdom of Israel. Since its rebirth, the modern State of Israel has called Jerusalem the seat of its government. Today @POTUS& the American people acknowledge this historic truth w the opening of the US Embassy. pic.twitter.com/tTNSJQVftq
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) May 14, 2018
Promise made. Promise kept. @POTUS had the moral clarity and strength to do what was right. From this day forward, the U.S. Embassy to the State of Israel is located in its capital, Jerusalem, Israel. https://t.co/0XeLZ4QHJ7
— Jason D. Greenblatt (@jdgreenblatt45) May 14, 2018
"The United States stands with Israel because we both believe in freedom. We stand together because we both believe in human rights. We stand together because we believe democracy is worth defending."https://t.co/saMU1i5mqC
— Jason D. Greenblatt (@jdgreenblatt45) May 14, 2018
"Israel is a sovereign nation with the right to determine its own capital – the same right that is enjoyed by every other country."https://t.co/j9Ogtm5bDA
— Jason D. Greenblatt (@jdgreenblatt45) May 14, 2018
Notwithstanding the best of intentions, a bipartisan Act of Congress, and campaign promises, for 70 years we neglected to extend this basic courtesy to Israel that we extend to other countries. It is time to change that and show that America will always stand with Israel. 6/11 https://t.co/bkqCDMoWWo
— Jason D. Greenblatt (@jdgreenblatt45) May 14, 2018
With @marklevinshow in Jerusalem for the opening of our US Embassy. Hanging out with The Great One on an historic day for Israel and America. 70 years in the making. #Historypic.twitter.com/IFc48INOau
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 14, 2018
.@USTreasury Secretary @stevenmnuchin1 and Assistant to the President @IvankaTrump unveil the seal at #USEmbassyJerusalem. pic.twitter.com/KDbP82hhMc
— Department of State (@StateDept) May 14, 2018
Deputy Secretary Sullivan: It was important 70 years ago for the United States to take the lead on recognizing #Israel as a country. We think it's important now for the United States to take the lead on recognizing #Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. #USEmbassyJerusalempic.twitter.com/58IOimnxlK
— Department of State (@StateDept) May 14, 2018
My statement on the opening of the new American Embassy in Jerusalem: https://t.co/1kTejkDVikpic.twitter.com/zGPahFf26C
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) May 14, 2018