US Vice President Pence has embarked on a short visit to the Middle East, a trip that has already been postponed twice since December . “They have killed any hope among Palestinians,” Jawad Siyam, a Palestinian activist, told DW after the Trump decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. In December, in protest of President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called off a planned meeting with Pence in Bethlehem. Strained US-Palestinian relationsDuring his visit, Pence will address the Knesset in what is seen as an important gesture. The churches have been highly critical of Trump’s decision on Jerusalem and have called for the status quo to be maintained.

Source: Egypt Independent January 22, 2018 08:03 UTC