Vice President Mike Pence embarked on a Middle East tour on Friday, during which he visited both Egypt and Jordan before arriving in Israel yesterday evening.
In Egypt: the American Vice President met with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, during which he pointed to the fact that since President Donald Trump took office, relations between Washington and Cairo “have never been stronger.” Pence said, “The broader relationship between the United States of America and Egypt has also been renewed in the last year after a time where our countries seemed to be drifting apart in the last year. Thanks to your leadership and the relationship that you and President Trump has forged, the ties between Egypt and the United States have never been stronger. We are united not just in commerce and prosperity, but most importantly in a commitment to security,” the American Vice President asserted.
Pence further reiterated the United States’ commitment to the security of Egypt, reaffirming Washington’s resolve to continue to stand with Cairo in combatting terrorism that has plagued the country since Islamist President Mohammad Morsi was ousted from power in 2013. He declared, “We stand shoulder to shoulder with you in Egypt in fighting against terrorism. Our hearts have grieved as Americans for the loss of life in terrorist attacks that have taken place against (the) Coptic Christian community here in the last year, and, of course, the horrific attack on a mosque this last November that claimed the lives of more than 300 innocent men, women, and children. We resolve to continue to stand with Egypt in the battle against terrorism. And Mr. President, we’re grateful for your leadership in that cause,” he stressed.
Following his meeting with the Egyptian President, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence travelled to the Jordanian capital, Amman, where he met with Jordan’s King Abdullah. During their work meeting, the Jordanian monarch asserted that Jerusalem is a key pillar to peace in the region, and a key to enable moderate Muslim leaders to effectively fight radicalization. King Abdullah further stressed that rebuilding trust and confidence in Washington’s ability to broker a peace agreement for Israel and the Palestinians is imperative for moving forward on a two-state solution, which Amman believes should be based on the 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as a capital of an independent Palestinian state. The Hashemite Monarch said, “Again for us, Jerusalem is key to Muslims and Christians, as it is to Jews. It is key to peace in the region and key to enabling Muslims to effectively fight courses of radicalization. Today we have a major challenge to overcome, especially with some of the rising frustrations and I think it is very important, your visit here I’m sure is to rebuild the trust and confidence in not only how we move forward with the two state solution, on June 4 1967 lines and East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestinian state, but living side by side with a secure, recognized Israel in accordance with international laws and the Arab peace initiative,” King Abdullah said.
Vice President Pence responded to the Jordanian King that while President Trump made a historic decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the American leader was also clear with regard to Washington’s commitment to continue to respect Jordan’s role as the custodian of the holy sites in the antient city. Pence further reiterated that the United States remains committed to a peace process in which the leaderships of Israel and the Palestinians would be subject to reaching their own agreements following direct negotiations. The American vice President said, “President Trump made a historic decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, but as he also made clear in that decision that we are committed to continue to respect Jordan’s role as the custodian of holy sites, that we take no position on boundaries and final status, those are subject to negotiations. And as I have made clear to you and the President made clear to the world, the United States of America remains committed if the parties agree to a two-state solution, we are committed to restarting the peace process,” Pence emphasized.
Following his meeting with King Abdullah, Pence travelled to Israel – the last destination of his regional tour. This morning, Vice President Pence met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during which he declared Washington’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, as a base that will allow Israel and the Palestinians to move on in good faith negotiations for peace.
Palestinian officials, however, continue to reject Vice President Pence for what they claim is “his fundamentalist and literalist” attitude toward Israel’s right over Jerusalem, an “unjust ideology” the officials said is derived from his declared Christian faith.