Former US vice president Mike Pence arrives at Western Wall

Former US vice president Mike Pence arrives at Jerusalem’s Western Wall during his three-day visit to Israel.

Pence is thought to be laying the groundwork for a possible 2024 run for president.

סגן נשיא ארצות הברית לשעבר מייק פנס הגיע כעת לסיור ותפילה בכותל המערבי, כשהוא מלווה ברב הכותל והמקומות הקדושים הרב שמואל רבינוביץ ומנכ"ל הקרן למורשת הכותל מרדכי סולי אליאב.

צילום: אלחנן אלבז pic.twitter.com/6hnkmtYOXX

— איציק אוחנה (@ok125125) March 8, 2022

The former VP is meeting with a number of Israeli officials. Earlier in the day he met with President Isaac Herzog, who thanked Pence for his “friendship and support and for always standing with Israel.”

Welcome back to Jerusalem, former U.S. Vice President @Mike_Pence and your wife Karen! Thank you for your friendship and support and for always standing with Israel. ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/w7bm3kNF5x

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) March 8, 2022

While Pence allies believe that he can forge a coalition that brings together movement conservatives, white Evangelical Christians, and more establishment-minded Republicans, former US president Donald Trump’s attacks have made him deeply unpopular with large swaths of Trump’s loyal base, potentially complicating his bid for the Republican presidential nomination.