Overview

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended the opening of the Pilgrim's Road at the City of David archaeological site in Jerusalem.
• A State Department spokesperson said the visit reaffirmed America's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
• International and local media were barred from the tour, which opponents say advances Israeli claims to contested East Jerusalem.
• The City of David is operated by Elad, a settler group cited by a UN inquiry for land appropriation and pressured evictions in Silwan.
• UNESCO has opposed construction at the site, and the visit preceded a UN gathering where several countries are expected to move toward recognizing a Palestinian state.