VP Pence: Trump ‘considering when and how’ to move embassy to Jerusalem

“As we speak, President Trump is actively considering when and how to move the American Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem,” the US vice-president stated at 70th anniversary celebration of UN vote calling for the creation of Jewish state.

By: World Israel News Staff
With files from the Israel Mission to the UN

Israel’s Mission to the United Nations, in partnership with the World Jewish Congress, celebrated 70 years since the historic November 29, 1947 United Nations vote on Resolution 181 that called for the establishment of a Jewish State in the Land of Israel. The event, initiated by Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, took place in the Queens Museum, which served as UN headquarters in 1947 when the vote took place.

US Vice President Mike Pence served as the guest of honor and keynote speaker at the celebration, which was attended by US Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin, over 60 UN ambassadors, senior diplomats and Jewish community leaders from around the world. World Jewish Congress President Ambassador Ronald Lauder and Israel Katz, Israel’s transportation and intelligence minister, addressed the gathering as well.

“Seventy years ago, in this very room, in these very seats where you are sitting today, the dream of the Jewish people of 2,000 years came true,” Danon said at the celebration. “In 1897, Theodor Herzl dreamed of the impossible, in 1947 the Jewish people realized the impossible and today, 70 years later, the modern State of Israel has made the impossible, possible.

“From this day onward,” he concluded, “for the next 70 years and beyond, Israel will continue to be a beacon of democracy, a powerhouse of innovation and a light unto the nations.”

Trump ‘will never compromise’ Israel’s security

Speaking of the special bond between the US and Israel, Pence said: “As we speak, President Trump is actively considering when and how to move the American Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. And President Trump is also committed to finally bring peace to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As President Trump has said, “we want Israel to have peace,” and in recent months, we have made valuable progress toward that noble goal. And while compromise will be necessary, you can rest assured – President Trump will never compromise the safety and security of the Jewish state of Israel. President Trump has made clear that under this administration, America once again stands with our allies and stands up to our enemies.”

For the event, the Queens Museum was recreated to appear in its original state as the UN General Assembly Hall of 1947, including replicas of the tables, chairs, UN podium and map backdrop. A special audio-visual reenactment of the historic vote was projected in the hall, and the traditional Israeli ‘hora’ dance was performed following the vote’s ‘approval.’

Arab nations reject partition plan

“In 1947, the Jewish people accepted the division of their ancestral land in order to live side by side with their Arab neighbors, Lauder told the crowd. “They understood the realities of living in a new era, and they accepted that they could not have it all. But the Arab people did not. They did not accept the partition in 1947, and 70 years later, too many still do not accept it.”

Speaking to the anti-Israel bias and double standards that have spread through the UN and the efforts at change by officials such as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and US Ambassador Nikki Haley, Lauder said: “Let us learn a lesson from 1947. Seventy years ago, countries on every continent, with no vested interested, voted for partition – not for political reasons, not for economic reasons, and not out of self-interest. They voted to create the modern State of Israel because it was the right thing to do. It is my hope, my strongest desire, that rather than use this organization to cast votes based on political lies and deceit, countries actually do what is right. They can use Israel as a reference point.”