(JTA) — Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt of the United States has cancelled a trip to Israel after criticism of his travel expenses, which have cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the Washington Post. He had been expected to arrive in Israel for a five-day visit on state business and stay at the five-star King David Hotel in Jerusalem.
Confrontations with members of the public caused Pruitt to switch to flying first or business class whenever possible, at the recommendation of the head of his security detail. Some of the confrontations were threatening and Pruitt’s security felt they could not protect him appropriately, according to the EPA. Agency spokeswoman Liz Bowman said in a statement, “We decided to postpone; the administrator looks forward to going in the future.”