The US State Department announced Feb. 23 that the US Embassy in Israel would be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in mid-May, to coincide with Israel’s 70th Independence Day. The Israeli Embassy in the United States cited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reaction to the decision: “This is a great day for the people of Israel. … This decision will turn Israel’s 70th Independence Day into an even bigger celebration.”
Even as the temporary embassy site (until a permanent facility is built) is being inaugurated, the Palestinians will be marking the 70th anniversary of their annual Nakba Day commemorating the “catastrophe” that befell them when Israel was established in 1948. Just as Netanyahu noted the added importance of this day for Israel in light of the US Embassy move, so presumably will the Palestinians’ sense of loss be intensified this year by great anger at the decision.
