President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli dignitaries came together at the ceremony marking the opening of the new American Embassy in Jerusalem Monday.
"What a glorious day. Remember this moment. This is history. President Trump, by recognizing history, you have made history. All of us are deeply moved. All of us are deeply grateful. … Today, the embassy of the most powerful nation on earth, our greatest ally, the United States of America, today its embassy opened here," Netanyahu said.
"Last December, President Trump became the first world leader to recognize Jerusalem as our capital. And today, the United States of America is opening its embassy right here in Jerusalem. Thank you. Thank you, President Trump, for having the courage to keep your promises.
"Thank you, President Trump, and thank you all, for making the alliance between America and Israel stronger than ever. And thank you, a special thank you, to you, Ambassador Friedman. Thank you, David, for everything you do to bring our countries and our peoples closer together. Today, you have a special privilege. You are privileged to become the first American ambassador to serve your country in Jerusalem, and this is a distinct honor that will be yours forever. Nobody can be first again."
"My friends, this is a great day for Israel," the prime minister continued. "It's a great day for America. It's a great day for our fantastic partnership. But I believe it's also a great day for peace. … A peace that is built on lies will crash on the rocks of Middle Eastern reality. You can only build peace on truth, and the truth is that Jerusalem has been and will always be the capital of the Jewish people, the capital of the Jewish state. Truth, peace and justice – this is what we have and this is what we believe in.
"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," Netanyahu concluded.
President Rivlin also thanked Trump. "The people of Israel thank you for keeping your promise, for your courage and determination, for your steadfast and unwavering stand by Israel's side, and we hope and expect that other nations follow your lead and follow suit," he said, referring to the embassy's relocation.
"The unity of Jerusalem is reflected in the fact that all life here is equal, and from this joyous day, Jerusalem is also home to the U.S. Embassy in Israel.
"Every election campaign in the United States has seen every presidential candidate pledge to transfer the American Embassy to Jerusalem. Today, we have an American leader who made this promise – and kept his word," Rivlin said.
