WASHINGTON: The United States plans to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem on May 14, the State Department said on Saturday.

“The opening will coincide with Israel’s 70th anniversary,” said the department’s spokesperson Heather Nauert.

The embassy will initially be located in Jerusalem’s Arnona neighbourhood, in a building that currently houses operations of the US Consulate General.

A State Department announcement said US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, will work from this facility with a small staff until a new building is constructed.

“We are excited about taking this historic step, and look forward with anticipation to the May opening,” Ms Nauert said.

The US Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act in October 1995 and on Nov 8, 1995, the act became a law without a presidential signature.

The act recognised Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel and called for Jerusalem to remain an undivided city. Since past US presidents never signed the relocation order, the embassy remained in Tel Aviv.

On Dec 6, 2017, President Donald Trump officially recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and ordered the relocation of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

But an international outcry against the proposed US move forced President Trump to delay the relocation for six months, which expires in May.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2018