VP Pence
Photo: AP
VP Pence to visit Israel, Egypt and Jordan later this month
White House announces VP Pence will be lifting off for Israel, Egypt, Jordan visit January 19; Pence was slated to visit region in December, but postponed visit several times following President Trump's Jerusalem recognition.
US Vice President Mike Pence will visit Israel, Egypt and Jordan from January 19 to 23, the White House said on Monday, embarking on a tour originally planned for last month after President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Pence will hold talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Jordan's King Abdullah and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin, the White House said in a statement. Pence will also visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum.
Pence, a strong supporter of Trump's decision on Jerusalem, will also visit the city's Western Wall and give a speech at the Knesset, it said.
VP Pence will be visiting Jerusalem later this month (Photo: AFP)
Trump's decision on Jerusalem and announcement in December that the United States would start the process of moving its embassy from Tel Aviv led to uproar and protest in the region.
"At President Trump's direction, the vice president is traveling to the Middle East to reaffirm our commitment to work with the US's allies in the region to defeat radicalism that threatens future generations," said Alyssa Farah, a spokeswoman for Pence.
He plans to discuss with the three leaders "ways to work together to fight terrorism and improve our national security," she added.
In his first visit to the Middle East as vice president, Pence is not expected to meet any senior Palestinian officials, who were incensed with the American recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and canceled planned meetings with the vice president.
Prior to Trump's announcement, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was slated to meet Pence in Bethlehem, but the meeting was canceled in protest of the recognition.
Pence postponed a planned visit to Egypt and Israel last month to stay in Washington for a congressional vote on Trump's tax overhaul plan.
