The U.S. Department of State said Friday that it would open its new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem in May.
“In May, the United States plans to open a new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem,” the State Department said in a statement. “The opening will coincide with Israel’s 70th anniversary.”
The Embassy will initially be located in the Arnona neighborhood, in a modern building that now houses consular operations of U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem. The interim Embassy in will contain office space for the Ambassador and a small staff. By the end of next year, we intend to open a new Embassy Jerusalem annex on the Arnona compound that will provide the Ambassador and his team with expanded interim office space.
The department has started the search for a site for their permanent Embassy to Israel,the planning and construction of which will be a longer-term undertaking.
“We are excited about taking this historic step, and look forward with anticipation to the May opening,” the State Department added.
