US won't celebrate Independence Day reception in Jerusalem, Russia will
US Embassy source says decision to move 4th of July reception from Herzliya to events hall near the airport rather than to Jerusalem was apolitical, but Russia will celebrate its birthday capital.
US 4 July Independence Day celebrations in Israel will not take place this year in Jerusalem, despite the fact that its embassy was moved to the city last month after Washington recognized it as Israel's capital.
The annual reception honoring the US Independence Day usually takes place in the backyard of the US Ambassador’s home in Herzliya.
However, this year US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman has decided to host the 4th of July reception in the “Airport City” events hall near Ben Gurion airport rather than Jerusalem or Herzliya.
The event will take place on the 3rd of July, with both the President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planning to attend.
For years guests have complained about the hot temperatures and humidity during the celebrations in ambassador’s backyard, which is situated close to the sea.
According to sources in the embassy, the preparations for the event started long before the historic move and the decision was not based on political considerations. It remains unclear, however, why the plans have not been rearranged following the embassy’s move to the capital.
A US Embassy source told reporters: “The decision to hold the event in the reception hall is a practical one since it’s more convenient for the guests, budget and security. This isn’t the first reception to not be hosted at the Ambassador’s house,” a US embassy source explained.
The decision to move the reception to “Airport City” is costly and this year will not include a fireworks display since the airport doesn’t permit fireworks near its airspace.
On the other hand, Russia is planning to host its Independence Day reception in Sergei Courtyard in Jerusalem on June 15.
