The US Embassy in Jerusalem opens.

A high-level U.S. delegation prepared to mark the historic opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem Monday, a decision cheered by Israelis but met with mass protests from Palestinians that turned violent in the lead-up to the ceremony.

Twenty-six Palestinians were killed and 900 wounded, Palestinian health officials said, as Israeli security forces fired on a surge of protesters at the Gaza-Israeli border, vowing to prevent a breach. It marked the deadliest day since the Hamas-led border protests began in March, and threatened to overshadow the jubilant ceremonies in Jerusalem – where the embassy relocation from Tel Aviv is meant to make good on the Trump administration’s formal recognition of the holy city as Israel’s capital.

The relocation of the embassy had been a key campaign promise of President Trump, and he sent a huge delegation including his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner to mark the occasion. The move strengthened the U.S.-Israel alliance, while Palestinians, who claim east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state, vehemently opposed the decision.

“A great day for Israel,” Trump tweeted early Monday.

Earlier Monday, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the Trump administration’s decision to relocate the Israel embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is a “national security priority” for the U.S.

 

Mnuchin came to Jerusalem ahead of the opening ceremony for the new U.S. Embassy as part of a 250-member delegation, including Ivanka Trump and Kushner, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt

Mnuchin will unveil the plaque officially recognizing the embassy in Jerusalem, according to the Times of Israel.

“I’m thrilled to be here on behalf of the president. It’s a big day – moving the embassy here. Seventy years in the making. We’re thrilled to be here representing the president to do this,” Mnuchin said.

Kushner, also a senior White House adviser, said in prepared remarks that the sitting president has “delivered” where previous presidents “backed down.”

“We believe, it is possible for both sides to gain more than they give – so that all people can live in peace – safe from danger, free from fear, and able to pursue their dreams,” he said.

He added: “Jerusalem must remain a city that brings people of all faiths together.”

Israel prepared enthusiastically Sunday for the formal embassy opening with a gala party at its Foreign Ministry that included Ivanka Trump, Kushner and other U.S. officials.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told revelers that Trump’s December declaration recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was “the right thing to do.”

“Thank you, President Trump, for your bold decision. Thank you for making the alliance between Israel and the United States stronger than ever,” he said.

The prime minister said Trump’s decision recognized a 3,000-year Jewish connection to Jerusalem and the “truth” that Jerusalem would be Israel’s capital under any future peace deal.

Meanwhile, Israel bolstered its border security as thousands of Gaza residents amassed at the Israeli border. Since weekly border marches began in late March, dozens of Palestinian protesters have been killed and more than 2,000 wounded by Israeli army fire.

Hamas leaders have suggested a possible border breach in the days leading up to the embassy celebration, while Israel has warned it would prevent protesters from breaking the border at any cost.

Palestinian officials have criticized the Trump administration for its decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cut ties with the U.S., declaring it unfit to be the sole mediator for potential peace between Israel and Palestine.

The Trump administration had brushed off Palestinian criticism, saying that the embassy move could be a first step for brokering a peace agreement.

Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos, Samuel Chamberlain and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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