Israel prepares for opening of US Embassy in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM: Israel is preparing a series of festivities to celebrate the opening of the new US Embassy in Jerusalem, a move that has ignited Palestinian protests.

A reception today will include members of a delegation led by President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka, his senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner and Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin.

Dozens of foreign diplomats are expected, though many ambassadors of European nations who oppose the move will skip it.

Israel captured east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally. The Palestinians want east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, and view the relocation of the embassy from Tel Aviv as a blatantly one-sided move that invalidates the U.S. As a Mideast peace broker.