Pence’s Israel visit delayed amid tax bill push, peace process woes

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence’s upcoming visit to Israel, where he is expected to lay out in more detail the controversial U.S. plan to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, has been delayed, a spokesman for the Israeli parliament said.
Knesset Spokesman, Yotam Yakir, said Pence was scheduled to speak at the Israeli parliament on Monday, but his visit was postponed.
Yakir did not offer further details.
The postponement comes as Republicans in the U.S. Congress are attempting to push through a tax reform bill, the original version of which only passed the Senate 51 to 49.
As vice president, Pence casts a tie-breaking vote if any legislation is deadlocked 50 – 50.
On Wednesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blasted U.S. President Donald Trump for declaring Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and said the U.S is no longer “qualified” for leading an Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Representatives of the Palestinian premier have said that Abbas would not meet with Pence during his visit. (dpa/NAN)

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