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.”

Later, he tweeted a photograph of himself and his wife, Sara, with Ivanka Trump and Kushner and the new plaque. 

“What a great day for the great American-Israeli alliance,” he wrote. 

But just a few blocks from the site, scuffles broke out between Israeli forces and protesters, including Palestinian residents of Jerusalem and Israeli-Arab members of Israel’s parliament. Fourteen people were arrested, Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.