Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is refusing to meet Pence because of the declaration, making his visit a rare one by a high-ranking US official not to include talks with the Palestinians. Israel will however enthusiastically welcome Pence, whose administration has pledged staunch support for the country. Trump became the first sitting US president to visit the site when he travelled to Jerusalem in May 2017. Unrest since the announcement has left at least 17 Palestinians dead, most of them killed in clashes with Israeli forces. “The United States of America remains committed, if the parties agree, to a two-state solution.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 22, 2018 07:41 UTC