Vice President Mike Pence has revealed that President Donald Trump’s controversial pledge to place the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, Israel, will officially be fulfilled before the end of 2019.
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“The Trump administration will advance our plan to open the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem,” Pence tweeted on Monday. “And the Embassy will open before the end of next year.”
The Trump administration will advance our plan to open the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem – and the Embassy will open before the end of next year. #VPinIsrael pic.twitter.com/xxxChzWqLK
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) January 22, 2018
In a separate tweet, Pence said that the fulfillment of Trump’s pledge is being made “in the best interests of the U.S.” and in the best interest of peace in the Middle East.
The vice-president also heralded the positive relationship between the United States and Israel; he made his comments while in Israel for an official state visit.
“The alliance between our two countries has never been stronger and the friendship between our peoples has never been deeper,” Pence added.
The Trump admin will advance our plan to open our Embassy in Jerusalem & the Embassy will open before the end of next year. @POTUS made his decision “in the best interests of the U.S” but he also made it clear we believe this decision is in the best interests of peace #VPinIsrael pic.twitter.com/YlyuqjYt2v
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) January 22, 2018
As Faithwire previously reported, Trump’s proclamation last month “officially recognizing Jerusalem as [Israel’s] capital” and his decision to relocate the “United States Embassy to Israel to Jerusalem as soon as practicable” has rocked the world.
The United Nations General Assembly took the issue up last month during an emergency session, with the vast majority of member countries condemning the U.S. move. Overall, 128 countries voted for a resolution against Trump’s move, while just nine nations sided with the U.S. An additional 35 countries abstained from the vote, CNN reported.
The measure certainly has its opponents outside of the UN as well, including Pope Francis and the heads of some Christian churches in Jerusalem. In fact, 13 church leaders from Greek, Syrian and Armenian Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran and other traditions signed a letter to Trump that warned of potential repercussions, according to The Los Angeles Times.
But the Trump administration, as evidenced by Pence’s announcement, seemingly has no plans of changing course.
Jerusalem continues to spark a slew of controversy among the world’s Abrahamic faiths. For a deep history on why the embattled city matters so deeply to so many parties, go here.