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Pence Visits Western Wall in Jerusalem

January 23, 2018

Vice President Mike Pence visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Tuesday, placing his right hand on the ancient wall and praying for a few moments.

Pence was accompanied by Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovich, U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, and others, CNN reported.

The vice president wrote in the guest book that it was a "great honor" to visit the sacred place, the Times of Israel noted.

"It is my great honor to pray here at this sacred place. God bless the Jewish people and God bless the State of Israel always," he wrote.

CNN noted Pence started the day at the residence of Israel President Reuven Rivilin.

"You are a mensch," Rivlin said to Pence, using the complementary descriptor of yiddish origin for a person of integrity and honor.

Pence also visited Israel's Holocaust museum, Yad Vashem, where he laid a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance.

The visit follows President Donald Trump's announcement in December that the U.S. formally recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Trump also announced intentions to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, an act which preparations are currently being made for.

Pence reiterated the intention to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem during a speech to Israeli parliament Monday, indicating the move would occur in 2019.