In Pictures: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence in Israel

During his brief three-day visit US Vice President Mike Pence visited the Western Wall and spoke at the Knesset – assuring Israelis that the best days of US-Israeli relations are yet to come.

By HAGAY HACOHEN
US Vice President Mike Pence arrives in Israel, January 21, 2018 (photo credit: KOBI RICHTER/TPS)
US Vice President Mike Pence arrives in Israel, January 21, 2018
(photo credit: KOBI RICHTER/TPS)
United States Vice President Mike Pence landed in Israel on Sunday evening with his wife Karen, beginning an intensive three-day visit that included meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin, as well as visiting Yad Vashem, the Western Wall and speaking at the Knesset.
US Vice President Mike Pence arrives in Israel, January 21, 2018 KOBI RICHTER/TPS
US Vice President Mike Pence arrives in Israel, January 21, 2018 KOBI RICHTER/TPS
On Monday, Pence became the first US Vice-President to address the Knesset’s plenary and spoke to a packed room, winning standing ovations.
US Vice President Mike Pence delivers as speech at the Israeli Knesset GIL YOCHANAN/POOL
US Vice President Mike Pence delivers as speech at the Israeli Knesset GIL YOCHANAN/POOL
In his speech Pence stated: “We stand with Israel, because we believe in right over wrong, in good over evil, and in liberty over tyranny...The people of the US have always held a special affection and admiration for the People of the Book.”
During the speech Arab-Israeli MK’s from the United Arab List held up posters with images of the Al Aqsa mosque and the slogan “Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine”, they were quickly escorted out of the hall by the Knesset ushers.
MK Haneen Zoabi [Balad] removed from Knesset after protesting during speech by US Vice President Mike Pence YITZHAK HARARI
MK Haneen Zoabi [Balad] removed from Knesset after protesting during speech by US Vice President Mike Pence YITZHAK HARARI
While standing outside the hall, MK Jamal Zahalka [Balad] was verbally assaulted by Likud MK Oren Hazan, who called him a terrorist and said “All of you should leave for Gaza.”
Pence himself called Palestinian leaders to return to the negotiation table as “peace will come only through negotiations”.
Palestinians in Jerusalem and the West Bank went on general strike during the vice presidential visit in protest of the recent US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move which lead to great anger across the Arab and Muslim world.

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A street vendor selling baked goods stands in a street in which closed shops can be seen, as Palestinian political parties call for a general strike protesting the visit of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence in Jerusalem and the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, in Jerusalem's Old City Ammar Awad/ Reuters
A street vendor selling baked goods stands in a street in which closed shops can be seen, as Palestinian political parties call for a general strike protesting the visit of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence in Jerusalem and the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, in Jerusalem's Old City Ammar Awad/ Reuters
Karen Pence, the wife of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (2nd R), tours Jerusalem's Old City after visiting a jewellery shop January 23, 2018. / AMIR COHEN/REUTERS
Karen Pence, the wife of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (2nd R), tours Jerusalem's Old City after visiting a jewellery shop January 23, 2018. / AMIR COHEN/REUTERS
On Tuesday, the Vice President met President Reuven Rivlin, who said the Vice President is “a dear friend of the Jewish people and the State of Israel” and called him a mensch, a Yiddish word meaning a person of integrity.
US Vice President Mike Pence and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin meet at the President's Residence, Jerusalem, / Mark Neiman/GPO
US Vice President Mike Pence and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin meet at the President's Residence, Jerusalem, / Mark Neiman/GPO
The Vice President paid a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and laid a wreath at the Yizkor memorial hall.
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen participate in a ceremony commemorating the six million Jews killed by the Nazis during the Holocaust, in the Hall of Remembrance at Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem January 23, 2018. / RONEN ZVULUN / REUTERS
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen participate in a ceremony commemorating the six million Jews killed by the Nazis during the Holocaust, in the Hall of Remembrance at Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem January 23, 2018. / RONEN ZVULUN / REUTERS
He also visited the Western Wall for a private prayer in the company of Kotel Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch. US President Donald Trump also paid a visit to the Western Wall when he visited Israel.
US Vice President Mike Pence prays at the Western Wall / YANIR COZIN / MAARIV
US Vice President Mike Pence prays at the Western Wall / YANIR COZIN / MAARIV
The Vice President and his wife Karen departed from Israel on Tuesday evening.
Vice President of the United States Mike Pence departing from Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, January 23, 2018. / MATTY STERN, US EMBASSY TEL AVIV
Vice President of the United States Mike Pence departing from Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, January 23, 2018. / MATTY STERN, US EMBASSY TEL AVIV