“Seventy years later, the United States is taking the next step of moving the embassy to Jerusalem,” he said.

In his video address, Trump said the move was a long time in coming and added that the “United States remains fully committed to facilitating a lasting peace agreement.” 

Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and adviser, echoed those sentiments, saying: “We believe it is possible for both sides to gain more than they give — so that all people can live in peace, safe from danger, free from fear, and able to pursue their dreams.”

Trump has boasted of how he has kept costs down for the embassy move. In an apparent nod to the bottom line, only pretzels and water were served to guests, who included some top-tier Republican donors such as the GOP mega-donor and casino magnate Sheldon Adelson.

[Who is Robert Jeffress, the pastor at the embassy ceremony?]

He told The Washington Post that “this was an important event for all Jews.” 

For now, the embassy move is mostly symbolic — really just the addition of a plaque on the wall of the existing consulate in Jerusalem. Only the ambassador and a core staff will move to Jerusalem during the first phase. And less than $400,000 has been spent so far to increase security and to enable the embassy to start functioning. 

Yet the newly chiseled sign has brought with it clear vindication for Israel, which united the western and eastern sides of Jerusalem 51 years ago following its victory in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. In the 1980s, Israel formally declared sovereignty over the entire city, including Palestinian neighborhoods. Most countries still refuse to recognize that move and say their embassies will remain in Tel Aviv until Israelis and Palestinians reach a peace agreement.

[In 1995, Congress reached a compromise on the issue of Jerusalem. Trump is poised to end it.]

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a “glorious day.” 

“Remember this moment, this is history,” he said. “President Trump, by recognizing history, you have made history.”