UPDATED: 9:01AM
President Trump addresses US Embassy opening via video:
"It's been a long time coming" – Donald Trump sends a video message to the ceremony, congratulating Israel for the new embassy in Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/2tAsV9Uz9H
— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 14, 2018
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UPDATED: 8:43AM
During comments at the opening ceremony of the US Embassy in Jerusalem, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said, “In every presidential candidate has promised to move the US Embassy it Jerusalem, finally we have a leader who has kept his promise.”
Reuven “Ruvi” Rivlin is an Israeli politician and lawyer serving as the 10th and current President of Israel since 2014.
President Trump tweets ‘Congratulations’ to Israel.
Big day for Israel. Congratulations!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 14, 2018
UPDATED: 8:24AM
Amid deadly clashes along the Israeli-Palestinian border, senior aides to President Donald Trump are in Jerusalem celebrating the opening of the new U.S. embassy there. The relocation of the embassy from Tel Aviv has infuriated the Palestinians, who seek east Jerusalem as a future capital.
****** WATCH CEREMONY *******
The official opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem https://t.co/VIjBu8WRWU
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) May 14, 2018
UPDATED: 8: 15AM
Dallas Megachurch Pastor Robert Jeffress delivered the opening prayer during the historic ceremony.
Jeffress has been a strong supporter of President Trump, who made the decision in December to recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel.
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UPDATED: 7:16AM
There is mixed reaction to the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem today. This Israeli boy thanks President Trump.
Meet Gilad.
He is a 14 year old Israeli and this is the sign he made to thank @realDonaldTrump for “Making #Jerusalem Great Again”. He is here at the US Embassy in Jerusalem to celebrate. pic.twitter.com/BO7JKfFX6d
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) May 14, 2018
While in in Jerusalem, there have been deadly protests on Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip. The protests have turned deadly and the death toll is climbing quickly.
#video: Israeli army firing at a group of unarmed #GreatReturnMarch protesters – not even near the #GazaFence.
At least 18 Palestinians killed & 448 wounded from Israel live ammo today – 50 in critical/serious condition – Gaza MoH pic.twitter.com/M2wmQoebhP— Asaf Ronel (@AsafRonel) May 14, 2018
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UPDATED: 6:03AM
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin arrive in Jerusalem for today’s ceremony.
Video: U.S. Presidential Delegation for Jerusalem Embassy dedication ceremony arrives at Ben Gurion AIrport, May 13, 2018. pic.twitter.com/4RiFoveTtJ
— U.S. Embassy Jerusalem (@usembassyjlm) May 13, 2018
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Original post:
Dallas (WBAP/KLIF) – Dallas megachurch pastor Robert Jeffress has been selected to give the opening prayer Monday at the controversial opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.
Jeffress told Fox News’ ‘Fox & Friends, “This is a historic moment because it represents the United States recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, something that the Bible and secular history have told us for 3,000 years.”
Watch my interview from @foxandfriends on @FoxNews as I discuss my part in the opening of the United States Embassy in Jerusalem on Monday. https://t.co/d9fmjF1YhX
— Dr. Robert Jeffress (@robertjeffress) May 12, 2018
The pastor of First Baptist Dallas has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump and said that he had “courage that no other U.S. president has” had to move the embassy from Tel Aviv.
The move doesn’t come without its own share of controversy as Jeffress has made a number of offensive statements against Islam in the past.
Utah Senate candidate Mitt Romney says a prominent Baptist minister shouldn’t be giving the prayer that opens the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem because he’s a “religious bigot.” In a tweet Sunday night, the former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Republican presidential nominee criticized Dallas minister Robert Jeffress for his remarks about Jews, Mormons and Islam.
Robert Jeffress says “you can’t be saved by being a Jew,“ and “Mormonism is a heresy from the pit of hell.” He’s said the same about Islam. Such a religious bigot should not be giving the prayer that opens the United States Embassy in Jerusalem.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) May 14, 2018
Romney said, “Robert Jeffress says `you can’t be saved by being a Jew,’ and `Mormonism is a heresy from the pit of hell.’ He’s said the same about Islam.”
The liberal group Media Matters reports on its website that Jeffress made the remarks cited by Romney in a 2011 speech at the conservative Values Voter Summit.
Jeffress responded in a tweet of his own by defending his view that “salvation is through faith in Christ alone.”
Historic Christianity has taught for 2,000 years that salvation is through faith in Christ alone. The fact that I, along with tens of millions of evangelical Christians around the world, continue to espouse that belief, is neither bigoted nor newsworthy.
— Dr. Robert Jeffress (@robertjeffress) May 14, 2018
A White House delegation is in Israel for the opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem. Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin will be among those attending the ceremony Monday. President Trump will address the event through a video message.
Copyright 2018. WBAP/KLIF News. All Rights Reserved. this Report Contains Material the Associated Press.
