Jerusalem Turns into Barracks Ahead of US Embassy Inauguration

Israeli occupation forces have turned Jerusalem into a military barracks ahead of Monday’s relocation of the US embassy in Israel to the city.

Israeli police and intelligence units, in addition to US intelligence agents, are out in force to deal with protesters outraged by the inauguration of the US mission in Jerusalem.

President Donald Trump will address around 800 US and Israeli dignitaries at the ceremonial opening of the embassy by video, the US ambassador said.

It was not immediately clear from Ambassador David Friedman's comment, on a call with reporters, whether Trump would speak via a live videolink or a pre-recorded address.

US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will lead the delegation that will include senior White House aide Jared Kushner, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and a group of senators.

Speaking to the media, including Asharq Al-Awsat, via teleconference, a senior administration official said: “We’re convinced that this decision (the embassy move) creates an opportunity and a platform to proceed with a peace process on the basis of realities, rather than fantasies. And we’re fairly optimistic that this decision will intimately create greater stability rather than less.”

He said the embassy move “was viewed to be in the best interest of the United States and something the president had promised during the campaign.”

“My own discussions with many different Palestinians is that there remains a significant interest for peace, for a better life, for better education … and all the things that could be made available in this region if there was more peace and less violence.”

Meanwhile, a Palestinian was killed and 448 were wounded by Israeli army fire Friday in renewed confrontations on the Gaza border and some areas in the West Bank.

The protests are part of a weeks-long campaign calling for Palestinians to be able to return to the homes they fled in 1948, which are now inside Israel.

The protests are due to culminate early next Tuesday, when Palestinians will commemorate the Nakba.