The US on May 14, 2018 opened its embassy in Jerusalem under a controversial move by President Donald Trump that has infuriated the Palestinians, who clashed with israeli soldiers who shot dead at least 37 of them in Gaza. Trump announced the decision to move the embassy in December 2017, when he formally recognised the city as the capital of israel, breaking away from decades of US neutrality on the sensitive issue.
The Embassy move is contentious for Palestinians, who hope to claim part of Jerusalem as their future capital, and for many in the Arab world, as it is home to some of the holiest sites in Islam. The city is also home to deeply holy sites for Jews and Christians.
The issue has been so thorny that international negotiators had left the question of Jerusalem to the final stages of any peace deal.
Guatemala 2nd to open embassy
Gautemala inaugurated its Isreal embassy in Jerusalem on May 16, 2018, becoming the first country to follow in the footsteps of the United States deeply controversial move. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gautemalan Presedent Jimmy Morales in the disputed city at the heart of Isreali-Palestinian conflict.
Paraguay 3rd to open embassy
Paraguay on May 21, 2018, officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the third country to do so after the United States and Guatemala. Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attemded the inauguration ceremony of the embassy at Malha Technological Park in the city.
