The first U.S. Consulate opened in Jerusalem’s Old City in 1844, just inside the Jaffa Gate. The U.S. Embassy in Israel was established soon after Israel’s founding in May 1948 and was located in Tel Aviv. After the United States recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in December 2017, the U.S. Embassy was officially opened in Jerusalem on May 14, 2018, the 70th anniversary of Israel’s independence.
An illustration of the American Consulate in Jerusalem, 1857.
The consulate was located opposite the Old City’s Jaffa Gate, Tower of David, and moat, and overlooked the market square. No vehicles could enter through the narrow gate until 1898, when German Emperor Wilhelm visited. The gate was redesigned to allow carriages and wagons, and the moat was filled in.
Street of the Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem, showing the U.S. Consulate inside the gate. Credit: Bonfils studio, albumen print, probably mid-1890s and before the 1898 Jaffa Gate alterations. Rijksmuseum title: “1038 Rue de la porte de Jaffa à Jérusalem — Street of the Jaffa gate at Jerusalem.”
Photo enlargement shows the U.S. symbol of an eagle.
A postcard commemorating Kaiser Wilhelm’s 1898 visit and the U.S. Consulate adorned in U.S. bunting. The photo was taken before his arrival.
The German Emperor’s arrival. Note the change of signage between the two photographs.
The children of the American Colony in Jerusalem celebrate July 4. Some members of the Colony were Swedish, thus explaining the flag. The photo was hand-colored by a Colony photographer. (Library of Congress, Circa 1908)
Another hand-colored photo of the July 4 celebration by the American Colony. (circa 1908)
After a hiatus of several years due to World War I, the American Colony resumed its July 4 celebrations in 1918 with the guest of honor, Gen.Edmund Allenby.
The U.S. flag flew again after the American Colony donated a much-needed steamroller to the Ottoman administrators of Jerusalem. Alongside an Ottoman flag. (Circa 1911)
The United States Embassy in Tel Aviv - until 2018. (U.S. State Department photo)
Prime Minister and Mrs. Netanyahu greet Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner at the U.S. Embassy opening ceremony in Jerusalem, May 14, 2018. (Government Press Office)
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Thank you Lenny. Great history 👏