Aidohie Paulinus, Abuja
The Israeli Embassy, in Abuja, has expressed delight over the opening of the Embassy of the United States of America in Jerusalem.
The Israeli Embassy, in a statement, signed by its Deputy Chief of Mission, Nadav Goren, said the leadership role the United States took in moving their Embassy to Jerusalem, demonstrated the strong alliance between the two nations which share a relationship built on progress, peace and freedom.
The Embassy said it is encouraging to note that as the US has led the way, Guatemala, Paraguay and Honduras are all expected to relocate their embassies to Jerusalem in the near future.
“The Embassy of Israel in Nigeria celebrates the opening of the Embassy of the United States of America in Jerusalem on Monday, May 14, 2018.
“The US Embassy in Jerusalem was inaugurated exactly 70 years after former US President Truman became the first world leader to recognize the State of Israel.
“From this week forward, the American Ambassador to Israel will be based in Israel’s capital, Jerusalem, the religious and cultural home of the Jewish people.
“As US President Trump stated, “Jerusalem is the seat of Israel’s government. It is the home of the Israeli legislature and the Israeli Supreme Court and Israel’s prime minister and president. Israel is a sovereign nation with the right, like every other sovereign nation, to determine its own capital,”” the Israeli Embassy said.
The embassy further said as the historic juncture is celebrated around Israel and beyond, the State of Israel remained fully committed to protecting the holy sites in Jerusalem and ensuring freedom of religion for all faiths.
“Israel will continue striving for a lasting peace in the region,” the statement read.