Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel touted the Monday opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem as a major achievement for her party.
“Today’s embassy opening is a promise made and a promise kept,” McDaniel said during a luncheon following the facility’s ceremony, according to an official with knowledge of her remarks.
“President Trump has championed a stronger relationship between our two countries since his time on the campaign trail. He has grown that relationship, fought for religious freedom, and worked to advance the regional peace process from his first day in office,” she added.
McDaniel attended the festivities in Jerusalem Monday with about 800 other guests, though Trump and Vice President Mike Pence did not attend the event.
Trump announced in December he would move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The move had been projected to take years, but was completed in five months. Trump said he saved U.S. taxpayers nearly $1 billion and sped up the process by renovating an existing building instead of buying land and building a new facility.
McDaniel said the speedy move signifies a “new stage” in America’s diplomatic relationship with Israel.
“[Trump] stands with Israel, with Jewish communities everywhere, and with each of you,” she said.
The opening prompted tens of thousands of Palestinians to protest near the Gaza Strip because of the embassy’s move from Tel Aviv. As of Monday evening in Israel, more than 50 Palestinians have been killed and 1,200 people have been injured after they were fired on by Israeli soldiers.
