Faroese celebrating Israel’s 70th

Today at 5:30pm Vaglið in Tórshavn will host celebrations of Israel’s 70th anniversary.

Svenning av Lofti og Israeli Avi Lipkin will hold speeches, and the event will also feature songs celebrating Israel’s special day.

Elsewhere, US President Donald Trump will be holding a televised speech for 800 invited guests.

Jerusalem has for decades been at the centre of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. In December, Trump decided to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem ahead of his announcement that the US recognises Jerusalem as Israel’s capital city.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is happy with Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the country’s capital city.

“Jerusalem has been the capital for the Jewish people for more than 3,000 years, and now it has been the Israeli capital for 70 years,” Netanyahu told the press.

“We are grateful for President Trump’s brave and correct decision.”

On the other hand, the President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, regards the US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem as a provocative act against the Palestine people.

“The US government is breaking all international resolutions and contracts,” said Abbas.

The PLO Secretary General, Saeb Erekat, has urged international diplomats to boycott today’s celebrations at the US Embassy in Jerusalem. And Palestinian military leader Yahya Sinwar has announced that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians will be taking part in a protest march from Gaza to Jerusalem.