Pence says embassy move is on fast track
ISRAEL: United States VicePresident Mike Pence told Israeli lawmakers yesterday that the US would put plans to move its embassy to Jerusalem on a fast track, drawing angry denunciations from Arab MPs, who were forcibly removed from the hall during his speech before Israel’s parliament.
The Trump administration’s plan to accelerate the move of the embassy, announced in the first address of a sitting American vicepresident to the Knesset, marked the highlight of Pence’s visit celebrating US President Donald Trump’s decision last month to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
‘‘Jerusalem is Israel’s capital and, as such, President Trump has directed the State Dep6artment to begin initial preparations to move our embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem,’' Pence told the lawmakers, vowing that the embassy ‘‘will open before the end of next year’’.
Pence’s speech drew protests from the Palestinians, with chief negotiator Saeb Erekat saying it ‘‘has proven that the US administration is part of the problem rather than the solution’'.
Despite the pandemonium, Pence expressed hope after the speech that the Palestinians would re-enter negotiations.
‘‘Our message to President (Mahmoud) Abbas and the Palestinian Authority is: the door’s open. The door’s open. President Trump is absolutely committed to doing everything the United States can to achieve a peace agreement that brings an end to decades of conflict.’'
The embassy would be opened in an existing US facility that would be retrofitted to meet safety and security requirements, Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein said. –AP