Pence defends Trump's shift in Israeli policies

21/1/2018 14:29

        U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is defending President Donald Trump's move to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel, a decision that has touched off uneasiness among Arab nations on his first tour of the region.
        
        Pence was meeting Sunday with Jordan's King Abdullah II for discussions that are expected to include the Trump administration's December decision on Israel's capital and plans to shift the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
        
        The vice president said after meeting Saturday with Egypt's President Fatah Abdel el-Sissi that he emphasized the U.S. commitment to the peace process between the Israelis and the Palestinian Authority.
        
        Pence said he assured el-Sissi the U.S. was committed to "preserving the status quo with regard to holy sites in Jerusalem," and boundaries and other issues would be negotiated between the parties.