US Vice President Mike Pence pointedly referred to Jerusalem as Israel's capital on Monday during a trip to the city, as Palestinian leaders boycott the visit.

The comments were made alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has praised the White House's decision in December to recognize Jerusalem as the capital.

Israel claims Jerusalem as its eternal capital while Palestinians claim the eastern side of the city. The subject is central to the conflict between the factions.

President Donald Trump's move drew international condemnation at the time and reversed decades of US policy, going against the wishes of European allies and every Arab nation.

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