Vance Plans to Visit Holy Sepulchre While in Jerusalem

Vice President J.D. Vance praying at the Western Wall during a 2022 visit to Jerusalem. Photo: J.D. Vance/X

JERUSALEM — U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who is currently in Israel for meetings in relation to the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, stated his intention to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre while he is there.

According to The Times of Israel in an article published on Tuesday, the "vice president also said earlier today that he plans to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian holy site in Jerusalem’s Old City."

Several U.S. politicians, especially those who identify as Christian, have been criticized for praying at the Western Wall instead of the site of Jesus Christ's burial and resurrection, which is located a short distance away. The Western Wall is a holy site for the Jewish community, and while it has historical significance, it is not a holy site for Christians — despite attempts to make it one.

No time or date was given for the pilgrimage by Vance, who is a Roman Catholic.

In his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday morning, Vance expressed confidence in the recent ceasefire agreement.

"I never said it was easy, but what I am is optimistic that the ceasefire is going to hold and that we can actually build a better future in the entire Middle East," he said, as quoted by NBC. 

Previously, UOJ reported that Vance and Elon Musk were outraged by a graffiti art exhibit in Canterbury Cathedral.

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