US Embassy in Jerusalem to open in May 2018
Two Trump administration officials say the new US Embassy in Jerusalem will open in May 2018 to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Israel declaring independence.
The officials say Congress is being notified of the impending move on Friday. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson signed off on the security plan for the new embassy on Thursday.
The officials weren't authorized to discuss the plan publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
A ribbon-cutting is being planned for mid-May. Israel proclaimed independence on May 14, 1948.
The May opening marks a significant acceleration. Vice President Mike Pence had said previously the embassy would open by the end of 2019. And Tillerson had said it could take years.
Initially, the embassy will consist of just a few offices inside an existing US facility in Jerusalem.
