Pence to visit Israel, Egypt

WASHINGTON – US Vice President Mike Pence will visit Israel and Egypt in December at President Donald Trump’s request, overlapping with Hanukka.

Pence is expected to meet with Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian leaders during his trip to the region, during which he will promote the president’s desire for a comprehensive peace agreement.

The Associated Press reported on Wednesday that Pence will also address the Trump administration’s policies toward Iran, and Israel’s space program.

Trump visited Israel in May on his first foreign trip, and has sent several of his top administration officials to the country in the months since. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin is currently on the ground and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.

Pence has visited Israel several times before in a personal capacity and as a member of Congress. He also served in recent months as a messenger for the administration to US Jewish and Israel advocacy groups, addressing groups such as the Republican Jewish Coalition and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Pence confirmed his December trip in a speech and a tweet on Wednesday night.

“@POTUS asked me to go to the Middle East in Dec. to deliver the message that it is time to bring an end to the persecution of Christians,” he wrote, referring to an acronym for president of the United States.