Donald Trump is still giving serious thought to moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, American vice-president Mike Pence assured Jewish leaders yesterday at a White House ceremony to mark Israel’s Independence Day.

The president has so far given no indication of when he plans to fulfil his campaign pledge to relocate the embassy in a move which would prove highly controversial in the Arab world.

But Mr Pence made his remarks only the day before Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas is due to meet President in Washington.

“The president of the United States…is giving serious consideration into moving the American embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem,” Mr Pence said.

He also said that Mr Trump was “seriously committed” to trying to secure peace between Israel and Palestinians.