US to open embassy in Jerusalem before the end of next year: US Vice President Mike Pence announces during Israel visit

He even called the city as the 'capital of Israel'.

"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," Pence tweeted.

He is currently visiting Israel and met country's PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

President Donald Trump in December announced that his government will recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

He had said that the government will move its embassy to the city.

The Vice President said he discussed issues related to security and prosperity of the two nation during his meet with Netanyahu.

"An honor to be in Israel w/ Prime Minister @netanyahu. Important discussions about the opportunity for peace in the region and the security & prosperity of both Israel & the U.S. We continue to work tirelessly to strengthen the relationship between the U.S & Israel," he tweeted.

The Israeli PM earlier called Jerusalem as the capital of his country and welcomed the US leader to the city as he tweeted: "My friend, @VP Mike Pence, welcome to Jerusalem – the capital of Israel."

Defying the US warning, 128 nations supported the UN resolution that declared 'America's coronation of Jerusalem as Israel's capital' null and void, last month.

Triggering protests in several countries, the US last month announced its decision to recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.

The US decision was met with several angry reactions from the Islamic world.

Countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Jordan, Turkey and Indonesia protested the move.

People in these places took to the streets in large numbers to chant anti-Trump slogans.

Meanwhile, European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that the body is committed in seeing Jerusalem as the shared capital of Israel and a proposed future Palestinian state.

"We continue to promote the two-state solution. We oppose the settlement activity that we consider illegal under international law. To achieve this goal we need to speak and act wisely and consistently with a sense of responsibility. This is not the time to disengage; on the contrary. We believe Palestinians and Israelis need to show more than ever before their engagement with the international community, with key actors in this process, so that we can together work towards a negotiated outcome," she said.

"Finally, in these critical times, I want to reassure Palestinians and [Palestinian] President [Mahmoud] Abbas of our continued support, including financial. The European Union and its Member States are collectively by far the largest donor, the largest supporter for the Palestinians. And our support will continue, including to UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] which is doing invaluable work, supporting the Palestinian refugees inside and outside Palestine, and ensuring their access to basic services such as education, health and jobs, pending resolution of their situation. This is key also for the lives of millions of people and also for the stability of countries like Jordan and Lebanon," she said.

 

Image: VicePresidentMikePence Twitter page