The Israeli government office informed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened up Sunday’s cabinet meeting by pledging a “warmly welcome” to US Vice President Mike Pence, who is expected to visit Jerusalem next week, and thanked US President Donald Trump for supporting the Jewish state, according to TASS Russian News Agency. 

“He is a great friend of Israel and a great friend of Jerusalem,” Netanyahu said of Pence. “I would [also] like to express once again our special appreciation for the determination and leadership of President Trump and his administration in defending Israel’s truth, the firmness with which they reject the attempts to use the UN as a platform against Israel and their general support.”

US Vice President Pence is expected to arrive in Israel on Wednesday.

On December 6, US President Donald Trump stated that he recognizes Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel, and said the US Department of State has been ordered to start transferring the US embassy in Israel, from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

But this decision has brought about worldwide reaction.