Embassy Row Sparks Violence in Gaza
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WHY YOU SHOULD CARE
Protests have led to dozens being killed in the wake of the U.S. embassy move to Jerusalem.
By OZY Editors
This week, as Israel marked the 70th anniversary of its formation as a country, the U.S. moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heralded the opening on Monday as a “glorious day,” publicly thanking U.S. President Donald Trump for keeping his promise by becoming the first global leader to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish State, and following through with the diplomatic gesture.
“By moving our embassy to Jerusalem, we have shown the world once again that the U.S. can be trusted,” Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner told the assembled crowds. He also noted that the U.S. remains committed to helping secure regional peace.
But that same day, along the border fence between Israel and Gaza, things were far from peaceful. Since late March, Gazans have staged protests against Israel’s economic blockade of the Palestinian territory. But the embassy move sparked sharper hostilities; Monday saw scores of Palestinian demonstrators killed by Israeli troops and another 2,700 injured, half by gun fire, according to tallies by the Palestinian Health Ministry. Israeli leaders said they were defending their border from terrorists.
Yesterday, Palestinians faced the grim task of burying the 60 who were killed, and the Jewish State faced international outrage. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “profoundly alarmed” by Israel’s deadly response, and British Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking an independent inquiry.
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