Palestinian leaders plan to snub Vice President Mike Pence during his trip to the region later this month after President Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas canceled his Dec. 19th meeting with Pence during his trip to the Middle East, citing the Jerusalem decision as his reasoning, according to Reuters.
Another meeting with Egypt’s Coptic Church has also been turned down after this week’s news.
Trump’s announcement this week, which also included a pledge to move U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, has been met with widespread ire in the Arab community.
Violence has erupted as Palestinians, who claim East Jerusalem to be their capital, have taken to the streets to protest and the Israelis have retaliated against Hamas in Gaza for rocket attacks.
Pence is set to arrive in Israel on Dec. 17th despite growing tensions in the region. He will be the first senior U.S. official to do so since former President George W. Bush visited in 2008.
