US Vice President Postpones Mideast Trip to Next Week – White House

Washington, MINA – US Vice President Mike Pence is postponing his upcoming visit to the Middle East until next week following ongoing Palestinian protests over the Trump administration’s controversial decision on Jerusalem, the White House said late Thursday.

Pence will push back his visits to Egypt and Israel until next Tuesday, following President Donald Trump’s decision last week to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and ordered the US embassy in Tel Aviv to be relocated there.

The the Vice President will remain in Washington a few extra days to preside over a vote on a tax reform bill currently being negotiated in Congress, KUNA reported, citing Pence’s spokesperson Alyssa Farah.

His trip schedule was shortened after several leaders refused to meet in protest, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, originally planned to host Pence’s visit.

Last week the US warned Abbas cancelling the meeting with Pence would be “counterproductive.” (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)