彭斯：美国大使馆2019年迁到耶路撒冷

After announcing the United States would move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem by the end of 2019, Vice President Mike Pence wraps up a four-day Middle East trip Tuesday by meeting with Israel's president and making visits to a Holocaust remembrance center and the Western Wall.

Trump's decision parted from longstanding U.S. policy that left the status of Jerusalem as an issue to be resolved during negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had previously said the embassy relocation would likely take years. But on Monday, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert confirmed the administration "will advance its plan to open the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and will open the embassy before the end of the year."

Netanyahu thanked Trump and Pence for what he called the "historic statement" and declared the U.S.-Israel relationship has "never been stronger."

Palestinian leaders have been sharply critical of Trump's decision. A group of Arab lawmakers greeted Pence's Knesset speech with protests and signs that said, Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine," before being removed from the chamber.