U.S. Vice president delayed his Middle East tour

CAIRO – 14 December 2017: American Vice President Mike Pence has delayed his Middle East trip, in which Egypt would have been his first destination with Israel the second, according to AP sources, citing White House officials.

According to the officials, Pence slightly delayed his scheduled Middle East tour as he is preparing to chair a senate session to attempt to break the tie on new major tax cuts next week.

Following the American president Donald Trump’s move to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated that he would not meet with Pence during his visit to the Middle East.

International and regional condemnations were numerous regarding the U.S. decision; several protests accordingly broke out at U.S. embassies around the globe.