Israeli-Arab lawmakers removed from Pence speech after protesting

by Rebecca Savransky - 01/22/18 8:46 AM ET

Israeli-Arab lawmakers were removed from a speech by Vice President Pence in the Knesset after taking out signs and protesting.

Several members of the Israeli parliament stood up to protest at the beginning of Pence’s speech, according to a pool report.

They were escorted out by security.

In a video posted of the incident, several people could be seen holding up signs.

Haaretz reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with others, applauded as the lawmakers were removed.

Ayman Odeh, an Israeli-Arab member of the Knesset, said it was “a strong and legitimate protest against the [President] Trump-Netanyahu regime, against an extreme right that glorifies racism and hate and speaks of peace as lip-service but does anything in its power to further push away peace,” according to Haaretz.

“Our protest today at the Knesset was done in the name of all citizens opposing the occupation and dreaming of peace.”

Pence said during the speech that the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem would be open before the end of next year.

“In the weeks ahead, our administration will advance its plan to open the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem … the United States Embassy will open before the end of next year,” Pence said.

Tags Benjamin Netanyahu Israel Knesset Mike Pence Mike Pence Protests