Vice President Mike Pence told Israel’s parliament on Monday that the U.S. plans to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem before the end of 2019, a drastic acceleration from the original timeline.
“Jerusalem is Israel’s capital — and, as such, President Trump has directed the State Department to immediately begin initial preparations to move the United States embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem,” Pence told Israel’s Knesset. “In the weeks ahead, our administration will advance its plan to open the United States Embassy in Jerusalem, and that United States Embassy will open before the end of next year.”
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had previously said an embassy move was “no earlier than three years out,” and called that timeline “pretty ambitious.”
Pence’s news sparked a standing ovation from members of the Knesset.
As Pence began his speech, a group of Arab lawmakers jumped to their feet and raised protest signs. Security guards quickly ran over to the protesters and forced them out of the room. About a dozen seats were vacated following the removals.
Arab lawmakers escorted out of the Knesset after standing up with placards at the start of Vice Pres. Mike Pence’s remarks; Pence received a standing ovation during the commotion. https://t.co/D36Smf4g9w pic.twitter.com/4LMBLeuPqZ— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 22, 2018
Pence arrived in Israel over the weekend. Palestinian politicians have refused to meet with him in light of the Trump administration’s increased support for Israel’s Jewish population compared to his predecessor.
