Meeting with Rivlin, Pence reiterated that Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital will ultimately help move the Israeli-Palestinian peace process along. He also reaffirmed the US commitment to prevent a nuclear Iran.
By: United with Israel Staff
President Reuven and First Lady Nechama Rivlin welcomed to the President’s Residence in Jerusalem US Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen on the final day of their visit to Israel.
Rivlin began the meeting with praise for Pence’s Monday address at the Knesset and his role in pushing for the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
“Welcome Mr. Vice President, you are a dear dear friend to the Jewish people and to the State of Israel. We are very proud, and I would like to thank you for your speech yesterday about the strong, the warm and the very special words that you used yesterday in our shrine of democracy, in our parliament, in our Knesset, in Jerusalem the capital of the State of Israel.”
Rivlin Tells Pence: ‘You Are a Mensch’
“You are very proud, always, to stand very firm behind your words in actions, and for that we have only one word to describe you, you are a mensch,” meaning a person with integrity and honor.
At the meeting Tuesday morning, Pence reiterated that the Trump administration plans to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal unless the pact is amended. He also expressed hope that the European countries will join in the effort, but it not, President Donald Trump “has made clear” the US will drop the nuclear deal.
“We are sending a signal to our European allies that the time has come for changes in the Iran nuclear deal,” Pence said. “Punitive sanctions will be available for many years to come to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and you have our commitment to work closely with our allies around the world to achieve that.”
Pence repeated to Rivlin his conviction that Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital will ultimately help move the Israeli-Palestinian peace process along.
“President Trump truly believes that the decision the United States has made to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, we believe, will set the table for the opportunity to move forward in meaningful negotiations to achieve a lasting peace,” he said.
Rivlin responded with an Arabic expression, Inshallah, adding that it meant “with God’s will.”
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