Middle East Reacts to Vice President Pence Visit
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What’s the story?
Vice President Mike Pence is in Israel, completing a four-day tour of the Middle East that also included visits to Jordan and Egypt.
Why does it matter?
In December, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The decision has continued to roil the region, as evidenced in Pence’s visit:
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi reportedly lectured Pence on Trump’s move. "We heard President al-Sisi out," Pence told reporters after their meeting. The vice president said there is a "disagreement between friends," but noted "nothing has changed and that we are absolutely committed to building a partnership for security, confronting terrorism together, but also finding ways that we can advance the peace process."
A day later, Jordan's King Abdullah II also scolded Pence, saying, "Jerusalem is [as] key to Muslims and Christians as it is to Jews. It is key to peace in the region. And key to enabling Muslims to effectively fight some of the root causes of radicalization."
Pence ended his tour in relatively friendly territory. The vice president told Israel’s parliament that the U.S. plans to open its embassy in Jerusalem by the end of 2019. "The United States has no greater friend than Israel. And Israel has no greater friend than the United States of America," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority president, refused to meet with Pence.
What do you think?
Do you support President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. Embassy? Or do you think it destabilizes the region and hurts peace talks? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.
—Josh Herman
Related Reading
State Dept. Issues Worldwide Travel Warning After Trump Jerusalem Announcement
Hot Takes - World Leaders Respond to Trump Recognizing Jerusalem as Capital of Israel
(Photo Credit: PeterHermesFurian / iStock)
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