Vice President Mike Pence on Monday said the US will open its embassy in Jerusalem next year, a move that Arab leaders warn undercuts efforts to reach a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians.
In the final leg of a three-nation visit to the Middle East, Mr Pence told Israel’s legislature that President Donald Trump was making good on his pledge to relocate the embassy from Tel Aviv.
“In the weeks ahead, our administration will advance its plan to open the US Embassy in Jerusalem—and that United States embassy will open before the end of next year,” Mr Pence said.
Legislators in the Knesset stood and applauded Mr Pence’s declaration.
At the start of the speech, several Arab members of the Knesset shouted protests while waving signs, some reading “Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine.” They were quickly removed by security agents.
Mr Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in December and the relocation was initially expected to take several years. However, more recently US officials have indicated the new embassy could open next year, as they look to modify an existing property rather than seek a new site.
Read the full article by Peter Nicholas of the Wall Street Journal at The Australian (subscriber only).