Pence and Jordan’s King ‘Agree to Disagree’ on Jerusalem
The meeting in Amman, on the second day of Mr. Pence’s visit to the Middle East, came as tension has increased between the two allies over President Trump’s decision on Jerusalem last month
and his decision last week to withhold aid to the United Nations agency that serves Palestinian refugees.
Mr. Pence said the two leaders had a "very frank discussion." "Look, friends occasionally have disagreements,
and we agreed to disagree on the decision by the United States to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel," he said, according to The Associated Press.
Speaking before the meeting with Mr. Pence at Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman, King Abdullah reiterated his support for "East Jerusalem as a capital of an independent Palestinian state living side by side with a secure
and recognized Israel," Petra, Jordan’s official news agency, reported.
Mr. Trump had angrily called American aid to Palestinians worthless after Palestinian leaders
said the United States should no longer play a role in peace talks with Israel.
Mr. Pence called Mr. Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital "a historic decision," but insisted
that the United States takes "no position on boundaries and final status" issues.