Pence: US ‘making valuable progress’ on Middle East peace

Although “valuable progress” was being made in the Trump administration’s efforts to secure a Mideast peace deal, the president would never compromise the safety and security of Israel, Pence said. 

Addressing an event honoring Israeli Independence Day in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, US Vice-President Mike Pence said the Trump administration was “making valuable progress” towards securing a lasting peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

“We’re making valuable progress toward the noble goal of peace,” Pence affirmed. “Thanks to the president’s tireless leadership, momentum is building and goodwill is growing.”

Trump has already dispatched Jason Greenblatt, his senior adviser, not only to Israel, but also to this year’s Arab League summit in order to convey Trump’s belief that a lasting peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians would reverberate positively throughout the Middle East.

Pence said that Trump would never undermine Israel’s national security while pursuing a final peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

“While there will undoubtedly have to be compromises, you can rest assured President Donald Trump will never compromise the safety and security of the Jewish State of Israel – not now, not ever,” he stressed.

The Vice-President also expressed the need to rein in new and emerging threats from Iran.

“Today, under President Donald Trump, America’s support for Israel’s security is at record levels, and under President Donald Trump, America will stand strong in the face of the leading state sponsor of terrorism,” Pence vowed.

“This administration has put Iran on notice,” said Pence. “America will no longer tolerate Iran’s efforts to destabilize the region and jeopardize Israel’s security.

“Under President Donald Trump, the United States of America will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon,” Pence stated. “This is our solemn promise to you, to Israel, and to the world.”

By: Jonathan Benedek, World Israel News