Mike Pence Meets With Right-Wing Jewish Leaders In Israel

Former Vice President Mike Pence (R) met with a couple of prominent Jewish extremists during his political tour of Israel in Hebron on Wednesday.

Pence met with Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right member of the Israeli parliament, and Baruch Marzel, who was disqualified from running for parliament after the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that he had incited violence.

Marzel shared a photo of the two meeting on Twitter. He captioned the post, “I was happy to meet former US Vice President Mike Pence, in Hebron, a city of fathers. I thanked him for coming to visit us, and for his standing and support alongside the State of Israel.”

Foreign Policy adviser to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Matt Duss likened the meeting to a “foreign leader coming to the U.S. and hanging out with the Proud Boys,” a far-right American organization.

The two leaders represent violent factions who stand for the elimination of Palestinians in Israel.

Hebron is a common destination for U.S. politicians. Most progressive lawmakers visit the city to support the Palestinians. Pence, along with other Republicans have formed ties with right-wing Israelis.

“Great honor for Karen Pence and I to travel to Hebron today to visit the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs at the Cave of Machpelah that Abraham bought to bury Sarah nearly 4,000 years ago,” Pence wrote on Twitter, making a Biblical reference.

The political tour sparked speculations that Pence may be planning to run for the White House in 2024.