(VIDEO AND PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Vice President Mike Pence began the first day of his state visit to Israel on Monday, 6 Shevat. He met with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu during the morning hours. Following are Mr. Netanyahu’s remarks made at the start of their meeting.

“Mr. Vice President, I’ve had the privilege over the years of standing here with hundreds of world leaders and welcome them, all of them to Israel’s capital, Jerusalem.

This is the first time that I’m standing when both leaders can say those three words, “Israel’s capital, Jerusalem.”

I want to thank President Trump and you for that historic statement, which I know you supported and championed.

I look forward to discussing with you, as we’ve just begun, how to further strengthen our remarkable alliance—it’s never been stronger—and how to advance peace and security in our region, which is our common aim.

And I welcome you, dear friend, to Jerusalem. Welcome.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/photo credit: Haim Zach, GPO)