Vice President Mike Pence, who will arrive in Israel in two days, asked to hold a news conference at the Western Wall plaza during his visit, according to Channel 10 Television.
Pence's request was rejected by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz of the Western Wall and Holy Places. Rabbi Rabinowitz explained in closed meetings that such a news conference, against the background of American recognition of Jerusalem, could further intensify the tension with the Arab world and cause more Arab rioting around the Western Wall and the Temple Mount.