Pence's Middle East Trip: US vice president announces plan to accelerate embassy move

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US Vice President Mike Pence says Washington will open its embassy in Jerusalem earlier than planned. He made the surprise announcement in a speech to Israel's parliament. As CGTN's Stephanie Freid reports it prompted a standing ovation from most parliament members - but drove others to create a stir.

If a few brief few seconds could illustrate the growing antagonism between Palestinians and Israelis post-President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, it might be this one.

It was the moment that visiting U.S. Vice President Mike Pence took to the podium to address Israel's parliament or Knesset.

Arab members of parliament, holding up posters showing images of Al Aqsa Mosque inscribed with Jerusalem is the Capital of Palestine were ushered from the plenum.

In Palestinian East Jerusalem, the sentiment was the same.

Back at the plenum, Vice President Pence received more standing ovations from Israel's parliamentarians with this announcement:

MIKE PENCE US VICE PRESIDENT "In the weeks ahead, our administration will advance its plan to open the United States Embassy in Jerusalem - and that United States Embassy will open before the end of next year."

He also verbalized the United States' standing support for Israel, described the Iran nuclear deal as a disaster that needs urgent fixing and echoed President Trump's declaration.

MIKE PENCE US VICE PRESIDENT "Jerusalem is Israel's capital."

Three times.

STEPHANIE FREID JERUSALEM Blatantly missing from the vice president's address was any mention of the Palestinians other than to urge them to come back to the peace negotiation table. However, what was also missing was any incentive for them to do so. STEPHANIE FREID, CGTN, JERUSALEM.