US signs agreement to build permanent embassy in Jerusalem

The United States on July 1 signed an agreement to build a new embassy compound in Jerusalem, a move that Israel said reflected the "unbreakable alliance" between the countries.



During his first term, US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December 2017 and ordered the relocation of Washington's diplomatic mission from Tel Aviv.



But the services were spread across several locations in Jerusalem until a single permanent site could be found.



US ambassador Mike Huckabee said during a signing ceremony at Israel’s foreign ministry that Washington "recognises Jerusalem as the eternal, indigenous, and forever capital of the Jewish people".



"We are going to plant our flag, our American flag, on the soil of Jerusalem for a permanent and a brand-new embassy compound that will serve as our mothership of diplomatic activities here in Israel," he added.