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| Israeli troops kill dozens of Palestinians in protests as US embassy opens in Jerusalem – live updates | Israeli troops kill dozens of Palestinians in protests as US embassy opens in Jerusalem – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Alistair Burt, the UK’s minister of state for the Middle East, said he was concerned the demonstrations were being “exploited by extremist elements.” | |
| Burt said in a statement: | |
| Extremely saddened by loss of life in Gaza today. Concerned peaceful protests are being exploited by extremist elements. Urge restraint in use of live fire. Violence is destructive to peace efforts. UK remains committed to a two-state solution with Jerusalem as a shared capital. | |
| Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned “the targeting of unarmed Palestinian civilians by the Israeli occupation forces,” a day after leading Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh visited Cairo as part of diplomatic efforts to control today’s protests. | |
| The statement from Egypt’s MFA reads: | |
| Egypt fully rejects the use of force against peaceful marches demanding fair and legitimate rights, and warns of the negative consequences of such a serious escalation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This statement stresses Egypt’s full support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, first and foremost the right to establish their independent state with its capital in East Jerusalem. | |
| France’s foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, urged Israeli authorities to show restraint in its use of force against demonstrators. | |
| “France calls on all actors to show responsibility to prevent a new escalation,” Le Drian said in a statement. “France again calls on the Israeli authorities to exercise discernment and restraint in the use of force that must be strictly proportionate.” | |
| Le Drian said the US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem “violated international law and in particular UN Security Council resolutions.” | |
| Humanitarian groups are warning that Gaza’s health system does not have the resources to adequately respond to the injuries incurred in the protests. | Humanitarian groups are warning that Gaza’s health system does not have the resources to adequately respond to the injuries incurred in the protests. |
| Medical services in #Gaza at breaking point as already weakened hospital and healthcare system deals with almost 2000 injured in a single day, over 900 from live ammunition. Health authorities in #Gaza appeal to the international community for assistance. | Medical services in #Gaza at breaking point as already weakened hospital and healthcare system deals with almost 2000 injured in a single day, over 900 from live ammunition. Health authorities in #Gaza appeal to the international community for assistance. |
| The Ministry of Health in Gaza is also calling for the transfer of patients to specialist hospitals in Egypt due to the increasing numbers of patients who have had complex surgeries which require therapeutic interventions not available in Gaza | The Ministry of Health in Gaza is also calling for the transfer of patients to specialist hospitals in Egypt due to the increasing numbers of patients who have had complex surgeries which require therapeutic interventions not available in Gaza |
| Al-Jazeera said one of its reporters was wounded while covering demonstrations in Gaza. | Al-Jazeera said one of its reporters was wounded while covering demonstrations in Gaza. |
| The Qatar-based news network said journalist Wael Dhadouh was “injured by live ammunition from Israeli forces.” | The Qatar-based news network said journalist Wael Dhadouh was “injured by live ammunition from Israeli forces.” |
| It did not provide details on Dhadouh’s injury. | It did not provide details on Dhadouh’s injury. |
| The IDF said a fighter jet had struck five “terrorist targets” in what it said was a Hamas military training facility in Gaza. It added that the strike was “in response to the violent acts of the last few hours being carried out by Hamas along the security fence”. | The IDF said a fighter jet had struck five “terrorist targets” in what it said was a Hamas military training facility in Gaza. It added that the strike was “in response to the violent acts of the last few hours being carried out by Hamas along the security fence”. |
| The White House has released a briefing that says Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel “does not mean the United States has taken a position on final status negotiations.” | The White House has released a briefing that says Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel “does not mean the United States has taken a position on final status negotiations.” |
| The briefing emphasizes that this decision fulfills a promise made by Trump and that is “simply a recognition of reality.” | The briefing emphasizes that this decision fulfills a promise made by Trump and that is “simply a recognition of reality.” |
| Other points made by the White House in the lengthy briefing include: | Other points made by the White House in the lengthy briefing include: |
| More than two decades of waivers delaying the Embassy move brought us no closer to a lasting peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. | More than two decades of waivers delaying the Embassy move brought us no closer to a lasting peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. |
| President Trump has made clear that old challenges demand new approaches, and that he will keep his word to the American people. | President Trump has made clear that old challenges demand new approaches, and that he will keep his word to the American people. |
| Initial modifications allowing the Embassy to open on May 14, 2018, cost just $400,000. | Initial modifications allowing the Embassy to open on May 14, 2018, cost just $400,000. |
| The dedication ceremony has just ended with a musical performance. | The dedication ceremony has just ended with a musical performance. |
| The ceremony’s jovial atmosphere provides a stark contrast to the protests happening nearby. | The ceremony’s jovial atmosphere provides a stark contrast to the protests happening nearby. |
| Quite the disconnect . pic.twitter.com/1Ea0bMfF7v | Quite the disconnect . pic.twitter.com/1Ea0bMfF7v |
| Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has just spoken at the opening ceremony. | Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has just spoken at the opening ceremony. |
| “What a glorious day. Remember this moment. President Trump: by recognizing history, you have made history,” he said. | “What a glorious day. Remember this moment. President Trump: by recognizing history, you have made history,” he said. |
| Netanyahu spoke about how as a child his neighborhood was exposed to sniper fire from Jordan. | Netanyahu spoke about how as a child his neighborhood was exposed to sniper fire from Jordan. |
| “That was then, this is now! Today the embassy of the most powerful nation on earth, our greatest ally, the United States of America, today its embassy opened here!” | “That was then, this is now! Today the embassy of the most powerful nation on earth, our greatest ally, the United States of America, today its embassy opened here!” |
| “May the opening of this embassy in this city spread the truth far and wide.” | “May the opening of this embassy in this city spread the truth far and wide.” |
| “God bless the United States of America and god bless Jerusalem – the eternal, undivided capital of Israel.” | “God bless the United States of America and god bless Jerusalem – the eternal, undivided capital of Israel.” |
| Kushner was the first speaker to make reference to the protests today. Here’s more of what he said: | Kushner was the first speaker to make reference to the protests today. Here’s more of what he said: |
| President Trump was very clear that his decision and today’s celebration do not reflect a departure from our strong commitment to lasting peace. A peace that overcomes the conflicts of the past in order to give our children a brighter and more boundless future. | President Trump was very clear that his decision and today’s celebration do not reflect a departure from our strong commitment to lasting peace. A peace that overcomes the conflicts of the past in order to give our children a brighter and more boundless future. |
| As we have seen from the protest of the last month and even today those provoking violence are part of the problem and not part of the solution. The United States is prepared to support a peace agreement in every way that we can. We believe that 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. | As we have seen from the protest of the last month and even today those provoking violence are part of the problem and not part of the solution. The United States is prepared to support a peace agreement in every way that we can. We believe that 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. |
| The United States recognising the sensitivity surrounding Jerusalem, a city that means so much to so many. Jerusalem is a city unique in the history of civilisation. No other place on earth can claim significance to three major religions. Each day Jews pray at the Western Hall. Muslims bow in prayer at Al Asqa mosque, and Christians worship at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. That is why President Trump has called many times, including right now, on all parties to maintain the status quo at Jerusalem’s Holy sites. | The United States recognising the sensitivity surrounding Jerusalem, a city that means so much to so many. Jerusalem is a city unique in the history of civilisation. No other place on earth can claim significance to three major religions. Each day Jews pray at the Western Hall. Muslims bow in prayer at Al Asqa mosque, and Christians worship at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. That is why President Trump has called many times, including right now, on all parties to maintain the status quo at Jerusalem’s Holy sites. |
| Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, takes to the stage at the opening ceremony. | Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, takes to the stage at the opening ceremony. |
| He said the opening of the embassy was an acknowledgement of the truth that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. “The US will do what’s right and so we have,” Kushner said. President Trump delivered because when he makes a promise he keeps it, he adds. | He said the opening of the embassy was an acknowledgement of the truth that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. “The US will do what’s right and so we have,” Kushner said. President Trump delivered because when he makes a promise he keeps it, he adds. |
| He then brings up the “dangerous, contentious, and flawed” Iran deal to applause from the audience. Iran’s aggression threatens the region and the entire world, Kushner says. | He then brings up the “dangerous, contentious, and flawed” Iran deal to applause from the audience. Iran’s aggression threatens the region and the entire world, Kushner says. |
| “Those provoking violence are part of the problem not part of the solution”, Kushner says in reference to the protests today. | “Those provoking violence are part of the problem not part of the solution”, Kushner says in reference to the protests today. |
| Jerusalem must be a city that brings all faiths together, Kushner says. And he praises the way Israel has been a custodian of Jerusalem. | Jerusalem must be a city that brings all faiths together, Kushner says. And he praises the way Israel has been a custodian of Jerusalem. |
| Tump punctuates his video message with a tweet of congratulations. | Tump punctuates his video message with a tweet of congratulations. |
| Big day for Israel. Congratulations! | Big day for Israel. Congratulations! |
| “The Israeli people thank you” says Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin at the ceremony. | “The Israeli people thank you” says Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin at the ceremony. |
| In theory, at least, the Israeli military’s rules of engagement for demonstrations are largely clear. | In theory, at least, the Israeli military’s rules of engagement for demonstrations are largely clear. |
| In general terms - as has been exposed in court cases, commentaries and remarks by officials - soldiers are only permitted to open fire during a demonstration if lives are deemed to be under threat. In reality, however, that has often be interpreted either in omission or with such latitude that outside observers have criticised lethal live fire as excessive force. | In general terms - as has been exposed in court cases, commentaries and remarks by officials - soldiers are only permitted to open fire during a demonstration if lives are deemed to be under threat. In reality, however, that has often be interpreted either in omission or with such latitude that outside observers have criticised lethal live fire as excessive force. |
| In the case of the weeks-long Gaza fence protests, which culminated today with scores of fatalities from Israeli fire, that criticism has only become louder. | In the case of the weeks-long Gaza fence protests, which culminated today with scores of fatalities from Israeli fire, that criticism has only become louder. |
| During the weeks leading up to Monday’s protests well over 40 Palestinians had been killed demonstrating close to Gaza’s border fence with little evidence that any posed a serious threat to Israeli troops. | During the weeks leading up to Monday’s protests well over 40 Palestinians had been killed demonstrating close to Gaza’s border fence with little evidence that any posed a serious threat to Israeli troops. |
| According to Mitch Ginsburg, writing in the Times of Israel on Monday: | According to Mitch Ginsburg, writing in the Times of Israel on Monday: |
| “The orders are meant to be simple and clear. They cannot read like a UN resolution. They are repeated to soldiers before each operational action, sunk into the soldiers’ minds like an anchor. | “The orders are meant to be simple and clear. They cannot read like a UN resolution. They are repeated to soldiers before each operational action, sunk into the soldiers’ minds like an anchor. |
| “In the West Bank, for example, the rules often sound something like this: If you see someone with a weapon and feel in immediate danger, shoot to kill. If you feel danger but have time, instruct the person to stop, then fire once in the air, then fire to wound, then fire to kill.” | “In the West Bank, for example, the rules often sound something like this: If you see someone with a weapon and feel in immediate danger, shoot to kill. If you feel danger but have time, instruct the person to stop, then fire once in the air, then fire to wound, then fire to kill.” |
| As Ginsburg points out, the rules of engagement are not set in stone, but their general thrust is supposed to avoid the risk civilian casualties and to be proportionate. | As Ginsburg points out, the rules of engagement are not set in stone, but their general thrust is supposed to avoid the risk civilian casualties and to be proportionate. |
| And Gaza has often been treated differently. | And Gaza has often been treated differently. |
| On Sunday, amid warnings that Palestinians would be allowed by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to try and storm the border fence, that distinction appears to have been seriously blurred with Israel warning in advance in an air drop of leaflets that Gaza residents they will be risking their lives if they approach the border during a planned mass protest and that it will “act against every attempt to damage the security fence or harm IDF soldiers or Israeli civilians.” | On Sunday, amid warnings that Palestinians would be allowed by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to try and storm the border fence, that distinction appears to have been seriously blurred with Israel warning in advance in an air drop of leaflets that Gaza residents they will be risking their lives if they approach the border during a planned mass protest and that it will “act against every attempt to damage the security fence or harm IDF soldiers or Israeli civilians.” |
| In other words, Israel had defined Monday’s demonstrations in advance – regardless of whether Israelis are targeted from the Gaza side of the fence – as a cover for Hamas ‘terrorism’ a point made clear in the leaflets. | In other words, Israel had defined Monday’s demonstrations in advance – regardless of whether Israelis are targeted from the Gaza side of the fence – as a cover for Hamas ‘terrorism’ a point made clear in the leaflets. |
| “The Israel Defence Forces is determined to defend Israel’s citizens and sovereignty against Hamas’ attempts at terrorism undercover of violent riots,” the leaflets say. “Don’t get near the fence and don’t take part in Hamas’ show, which endangers you.” | “The Israel Defence Forces is determined to defend Israel’s citizens and sovereignty against Hamas’ attempts at terrorism undercover of violent riots,” the leaflets say. “Don’t get near the fence and don’t take part in Hamas’ show, which endangers you.” |
| According to the Israeli military at least one group on three men was fired on while reportedly placing an explosive device near the border fence, while an explosion near Jabaliya – which appeared to be an air strike – followed reported gun fire from that area. | According to the Israeli military at least one group on three men was fired on while reportedly placing an explosive device near the border fence, while an explosion near Jabaliya – which appeared to be an air strike – followed reported gun fire from that area. |
| A video message by Donald Trump is played at the US embassy inauguration ceremony in Jerusalem. | A video message by Donald Trump is played at the US embassy inauguration ceremony in Jerusalem. |
| There are several references to peace. Trmp ends with this: | There are several references to peace. Trmp ends with this: |
| “The United States will always be a great friend of Israel and a partner in the cause of freedom and peace. We wish Ambassador Friedman good luck as he takes up office in this beautiful Jerusalem embassy and we extend a hand in friendship to Israel, the Palestinians and to all of their neighbours. May there be peace. May God bless this embassy. May God bless all who serve there and may God bless the United States of America.” | “The United States will always be a great friend of Israel and a partner in the cause of freedom and peace. We wish Ambassador Friedman good luck as he takes up office in this beautiful Jerusalem embassy and we extend a hand in friendship to Israel, the Palestinians and to all of their neighbours. May there be peace. May God bless this embassy. May God bless all who serve there and may God bless the United States of America.” |
| Two more Palestinians have been killed in the protests taking the death toll to 41, according to health officials in Gaza. | Two more Palestinians have been killed in the protests taking the death toll to 41, according to health officials in Gaza. |
| Amnesty International has also condemned Israel’s use of force as the death toll rises still further. | Amnesty International has also condemned Israel’s use of force as the death toll rises still further. |
| We are witnessing an abhorrent violation of Int law and human rights. 38 confirmed dead, including children/minors, with close to 2000 people injured in #Gaza . Many are reporting injuries to the head and chest. Over 500 injured with live ammunition. This horror must end now. | We are witnessing an abhorrent violation of Int law and human rights. 38 confirmed dead, including children/minors, with close to 2000 people injured in #Gaza . Many are reporting injuries to the head and chest. Over 500 injured with live ammunition. This horror must end now. |
| Guests at the ceremony repeatedly chanted Trump’s name. | Guests at the ceremony repeatedly chanted Trump’s name. |
| “Trump, Trump” chants #USEmbassyJerusalem pic.twitter.com/YGYkaCaDXy | “Trump, Trump” chants #USEmbassyJerusalem pic.twitter.com/YGYkaCaDXy |
| US ambassador David Friedman welcomes guests to the US embassy in Jerusalem to long applause. | US ambassador David Friedman welcomes guests to the US embassy in Jerusalem to long applause. |
| He said: | He said: |
| The US finally takes the next step, a step long voted upon,litigated and prayed for all these years. Today we open the United States embassy in Jerusalem, Israel. Again the US leads the way as the first nation to do so. So many have worked so hard and for so long for this day to come and they all deserve our thanks. But make no mistake, today’s historic event is attributed to the vision, the courage and the moral clarity of one person to whom we owe an enormous an eternal debt of gratitude, President Donald J Trump. | The US finally takes the next step, a step long voted upon,litigated and prayed for all these years. Today we open the United States embassy in Jerusalem, Israel. Again the US leads the way as the first nation to do so. So many have worked so hard and for so long for this day to come and they all deserve our thanks. But make no mistake, today’s historic event is attributed to the vision, the courage and the moral clarity of one person to whom we owe an enormous an eternal debt of gratitude, President Donald J Trump. |
| Mention of Trump prompts a standing ovation. | Mention of Trump prompts a standing ovation. |