President Trump did not miss an opportunity to reiterate his promise to the Israeli authorities that the US embassy would be moved to Jerusalem next month. In a tweet congratulating “all of the people of Israel” for the 70th anniversary of their “ Great Independance” Trump displayed a jolly tone and asserted his relocation plans.

"Best wishes to Prime Minister Netanyahu and all of the people of Israel on the 70th Anniversary of your Great Independence. We have no better friends anywhere. Looking forward to moving our Embassy to Jerusalem next month!"

Best wishes to Prime Minister @Netanyahu and all of the people of Israel on the 70th Anniversary of your Great Independence. We have no better friends anywhere. Looking forward to moving our Embassy to Jerusalem next month!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2018

Netanyahu was quick to respond with “Thank you, President Trump! We too have no better friend than America. We are greatly looking forward to your moving the embassy to Jerusalem, Israel's eternal capital.”

Thank you, President Trump! We too have no better friend than America. We are greatly looking forward to your moving the embassy to Jerusalem, Israel's eternal capital. https://t.co/0016WQFmPg

— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) April 18, 2018

While Israel celebrates their independence twice, once according to the Hebrew calendar- on Thursday, April 19, and the Gregorian calendar- on May 14, Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been under lockdown as Israeli authorities have closed the borders for a three day period due to the festivities.

Read More: Israel imposes full closure on Gaza, West Bank for three days

Israel’s Independence Day is Nakba Day for Palestinians

For Palestinians and Arabs, the Israeli Independence Day is anything but a day for celebration as it is followed by Nakba Day or the day of “catastrophe” on May 15, marking the day in which around 700,000 Palestinians were forced to leave their homes and villages in 1948.

Annually, Nakba Day is commemorated by speeches and rallies by Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, and Palestinian refugees in Arab states and all over the world.

This year, Palestinians are carrying out a six-week peaceful protest near the Gaza border fence named the “Great Return March”, which started on March 30 on Land Day and is expected to culminate on Nakba Day.

Israeli authorities have responded with unreasonable force, despite international condemnation, to the peaceful protests and under their fire, more than 30 Palestinians have died since the beginning of the march.