Pompeo announces official opening of US ambassador's Jerusalem residence

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced the official opening of the US ambassador's residence in Jerusalem.

2 min read

08 May, 2019

Mike Pompeo said presidential waivers are no longer required [AFP]

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday announced the official opening of the US ambassador's residence in Jerusalem.

The move is seen as completing the controversial relocation of the US' diplomatic missions in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move slammed by most of the international community.

"On May 14, 2018, the US Embassy in Jerusalem officially opened for business. Now, as we near the first anniversary of that momentous event, I am pleased to report that I have provided my determination to Congress that the relevant elements of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 have been addressed," Pompeo said in a State Department statement.

Pompeo also said he had notified Congress that no more presidential waivers will be required. For more than two decades, successive US predeifents have issued waivers to defer the full implementation of a 1995 law mandating the embassy move.

In 2017, Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moved the US embassy to the city, a move that was hailed by Israel. Other countries followed suit, including Guatemala.

These developments angered the Palestinians, who seek east Jerusalem as capital of their future state.

Most of the world's countries base their embassies to Israel in Tel Aviv.

The Palestinians, and most of the international community, say the city's final status should be resolved in negotiations.