Tensions around moving US Embassy

jerusalem - After the victory of the Eurovision Song Contest, Israel is still waiting for a party today, but the hangover can be big. The American embassy officially moves to Jerusalem and the Palestinians have announced massive demonstrations against it.

Israel has posted thousands of extra soldiers at the border with the Gaza Strip, while in Jerusalem a large police force is on its feet. A US delegation arrived in Israel yesterday, including Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. President Trump will address guests through a screen.

The ceremony, after the argument about the Iran deal, exposes the growing gap between America and Europe again. Only a small number of EU countries will be represented at the ceremony. The rest, including the Netherlands, is absolutely against the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by Trump.

It will be an exciting week in the holy country anyway. Tomorrow, the Palestinians will take to the streets to commemorate the 'Nakba': the 'disaster' of the foundation of Israel, exactly 70 years ago. In the evening, Ramadan also begins, the holy Islamic month of fasting, which usually also causes extra tensions.

All eyes will mainly focus on Gaza, where Hamas threatens to storm the border fence with 'hundreds of thousands'. In recent weeks, many dozens of Palestinians were killed in protests. In addition to Israel, Egypt and Europe are also exerting pressure at Hamas to avert a massacre. However, the chance seems small that the terrorist movement in the Gaza Strip is responding to this mediation.

The Americans also take into account unrest in the rest of the Middle East. For fear of violent protests, it sent marines to different countries to protect the embassies there.

Although the American embassy officially opens its doors today in Jerusalem, in the building where the consulate is now established, most diplomats will continue to work in Tel Aviv for the time being. The move is a process of many years.

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