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Pence visit to region delayed till mid-January

For the second time, the US vice-president has delayed his trip to Israel and Egypt, citing an upcoming vote on tax reform as the reason.

By: World Israel News Staff

Vice President Mike Pence has again postponed his trip to the Middle East, citing the upcoming vote on tax reform in the Senate.

“The largest tax cut in American history is a landmark accomplishment for President Trump and a relief to millions of hardworking Americans,” Alyssa Farah, Pence’s press secretary, said in a statement. “The vice president is committed to seeing the tax cut through to the finish line. The vice president looks forward to traveling to Egypt and Israel in January.”

Pence was originally scheduled to visit Israel and Egypt, arriving Sunday. Last week, he announced a delay by a day or two, and now the trip is postponed for another month. Both delays were said to be due to the tax reform vote.

Pence was also slated to meet with the Palestinians in Ramallah, but they said they are boycotting him following US recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.

Senior Trump administration officials outlined their view Friday that Jerusalem’s Western Wall will remain part of Israel, another declaration that inflamed passions among the Palestinians. Israeli security has been preparing for Pence’s visit, bracing for more violence.