WASHINGTON – Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz penned an op-ed for The Jerusalem Post Monday applauding President Donald Trump's decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing the divided city as the capital of Israel.

Cruz has long advocated for the United States to move its embassy to Jerusalem and was among several U.S. political leaders attending the opening celebration, which has been the focus of bloody protests by Palestinians on the 70th anniversary of the formation of Israel.

"It is a great honor to witness this historic occasion," Cruz said in a statement released by his Senate office. "Recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and relocating the U.S. Embassy sends a powerful message that America will stand by our friends and allies, and we will stand up to our enemies. Moreover, it furthers the chances of peace in the Middle East by demonstrating that America's support for Israel is unconditional and will not be bullied by global media opinion."

Cruz traveled to Israel as part of a Senate Armed Services delegation that includes Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Dean Heller (R-Nev.). They were also expected to meet with senior Israeli government officials to discuss counter-terrorism and national security issues affecting the United States and Israel.

Also in attendance for the opening ceremony were President Trump's daughter Ivanka and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

In his op-ed, Cruz praised the U.S. recognition of Israel in 1948 under then-President Harry Truman, and compared it to Trump's historic decision last December to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, fulfilling a campaign promise that helped Trump cement his appeal to a pro-Israel, conservative evangelical base in the U.S.

'The Land of Israel was the birthplace of the Jewish people," Cruz wrote. "Here their spiritual, religious and political identity was shaped. Here they first attained to statehood, created cultural values of national and universal significance and gave to the world the eternal Book of Books."

"After being forcibly exiled from their land," Cruz added, "the people kept faith with it throughout their Dispersion and never ceased to pray and hope for their return to it and for the restoration in it of their political freedom."

Meanwhile, authorities reported that at least a dozen Palestinians have been killed and some 1,700 demonstrators injured in protests along the border fence with Gaza.