Las Vegas, February 27 (RHC)-- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has assured the Republican Jewish establishment that Washington's bonds with Israel will grow stronger under the new administration of Donald Trump.
"We're going to keep our end of the bargain," Pence told the Republican Jewish Coalition during the group’s annual leadership meeting over the weekend. "If the world knows nothing else, the world will know this: America stands with Israel."
Many within the Republican Jewish establishment had grown frustrated with former president Barack Obama, who did not have a close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Pence told Republican donors and Jewish leaders at Sheldon Adelson's landmark Venetian hotel that America’s ties with Israel were already stronger under President Donald Trump. The vice president went on to deliver a long message of thanks to Adelson, the country’s biggest Republican donor.
"Your leadership, I believe, will impact this nation and the Jewish state of Israel for generations to come," Pence said of Adelson. The pair had privately met just before the conference and discussed the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
The vice president said that the White House might eventually decide to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump had pledged during his presidential campaign that he would relocate the U.S. embassy.
Palestinians as well as a large number of U.S. politicians have warned against the move, saying it would send a clear message that Washington supports the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The United Nations officially terms East Jerusalem as Palestinian territory, occupied by Israel.