The Post

Pence says embassy move is on fast track

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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

 ?? PHOTO: AP ?? Turkish army tanks move towards Afrin, an enclave in northern Syria controlled by United States-allied Kurdish fighters,.
PHOTO: AP Turkish army tanks move towards Afrin, an enclave in northern Syria controlled by United States-allied Kurdish fighters,.

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