VOA常速英语2018--美国与以色列关系更进一步（在线收听）

The alliance between Israel and the United States has never been stronger, said Vice President Mike Pence in a speech before the Israeli Knesset.

以色列与美国之间的联盟关系达到了史上最强劲的时期，副总统彭斯在以色列议会前发表演讲时这样说道。

In December, President Donald Trump made history when he kept his promise to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Vice President Pence announced that the U.S. will advance its plan to open the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem before the end of 2019.

12月，特朗普总统因信守诺言，认可耶路撒冷为以色列首都而创造了历史。副总统彭斯宣布，美国将推进其计划，在2019年年底之前在耶路撒冷开办美国大使馆。

President Donald Trump made this decision, in the best interests of the United States. But he also made it clear that it is in the best interests of peace. By finally recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, said Vice President Pence, the United States has chosen fact over fiction. And fact is the only true foundation for a just and lasting peace.

特朗普总统这样做是对美国是最有利的决定。但同时他也明确表示，这是实现和平最好的方式。副总统彭斯表示，美国最终认可耶路撒冷为以色列的首都，这是从迷雾中抽离出真相。而真相是实现公正持久和平的真正基石。

The United States remains fully committed to achieve a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. In announcing his decision on Jerusalem, the President called on all parties to maintain the status quo at Jerusalem's holy sites, including at the Temple Mount, also known as the Haram al-Sharif. And he made it clear that the United States is not taking a position on any final status issues, including the specific boundaries of the Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem or the resolution of contested borders.

美国始终全心致力于实现巴以之间的永久和平。在宣布他关于耶路撒冷的决定时，特朗普呼吁各方保持耶路撒冷圣地的现状，包括圣殿山(Haram al-Sharif)。特朗普也明确表示，美国并不是在对任何有关最终状态的问题站定什么立场，不涉及到以色列在耶路撒冷领土的具体划分边界，也不涉及到有争议边界的解决方案。

President Trump reaffirmed that, if both sides agree, the United States will support a two-state solution.

特朗普总统再次确认表示，如果巴以双方同意，那么美国就会支持两国方案。

The United States appreciates Israel's declared willingness to resume direct peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. We strongly urge the Palestinian leadership to return to the table, said Vice President Pence.

美国欣赏以色列愿意继续与巴勒斯坦政府进行直接和平谈判的举动。我们强烈敦促巴勒斯坦领袖重返谈判桌，副总统彭斯如是说道。

While a peace agreement will require compromise, Vice President Pence stressed that any such agreement must guarantee Israel's ability to defend itself by itself.

虽然和平协定会需要作出妥协，但副总统彭斯强调，任何协议的签订都能保证以色列有能力靠自己来防御自己。

Israel has long enjoyed peace with both Egypt and Jordan. President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi of Egypt and King Abdullah of Jordan prove every day that trust and confidence can be a reality among the great nations who call the Middle East home, said Vice President Pence.

以色列一直与埃及和越南和睦相处。埃及总统塞西以及约旦国王阿卜杜拉每一天都在用行动证明，将中东视为家的伟大国家之间是可以实现真正的信任的，副总统彭斯这样说道。

The United States believes that the age-old conflict between Israel and the Palestinians can be solved if both sides will sit down and negotiate in good faith.

美国相信，巴以之间长期的冲突是可以解决的，只要双方能坐下来精诚谈判。