Fear as Kenya "Supports" US Move to Relocate Its Israel Embassy to Jerusalem

The United States officially relocated its Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Monday. Speaking to Al-Jazeera, Israeli Foreign Affairs ministry said his nation had invited all the 86 countries that have diplomatic missions within its borders to the opening of the US embassy, but only 33 sent their representatives.

Kenya is among the 33 countries that attended the controversial event, joining other African countries; Tanzania, South Sudan, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

The relocation, however, sparked chaos in Gaza strip, since Jerusalem is claimed by both Israel and Palestine. Reports indicate that Israeli forces killed at least 58 Palestinians as they moved to quell the protests.

Observers now argue that Kenya's move to send representatives in the function could put it at risk of more terror attacks, due to the religious dimension to the fight over the historical city.

More than a week ago, American embassy in Nairobi issued a travel advisory in Kenya citing retaliatory attempts over US move to relocate it's embassy to Jerusalem.

“Extremists may use the upcoming relocation of the US Embassy in Israel to target US citizens. Terrorists may employ a variety of tactics,” it said.

“They may target schools, hospitals, churches, tourist locations, transportation hubs, and other public venues,” it added.

In his speech during the opening of the embassy, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Jerusalem belongs to his country.

“In Jerusalem, Abraham passed the greatest test of faith and the right to be the father of our nation. In Jerusalem, King David established our capital three thousand years ago. In Jerusalem, King Solomon built our Temple, which stood for many centuries,” he said.

“In Jerusalem, Jewish exiles from Babylon rebuilt the Temple, which stood for many more centuries. In Jerusalem, the Maccabees rededicated that Temple and restored Jewish sovereignty in this land.”

In a video address, US President Donald Trump said that Monday’s action was long overdue.

“For many years we failed to acknowledge the obvious. The plain reality that Israel’s capital is Jerusalem,” Trump said.