Tom LoBianco

tom.lobianco@indystar.com

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence attended a Christmas Eve dinner hosted by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas but declined an offer from Abbas to join the head table and a separate offer of a private meeting.

The news of Pence's declined encounter with Abbas trickled out as Pence was on a nine-day trip to Israel. The governor's office played up a planned meeting Monday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but made little mention of the Abbas exchange.

Caroline Glick, a journalist with The Jerusalem Post, first wrote about the interaction with Abbas in a Christmas post to Facebook.

"Gov. Pence in his inimitable wisdom, politely and firmly declined the summons," Glick wrote.

Glick provided some more details to The Indianapolis Star on Monday: Pence had been attending Abbas' annual dinner for statesmen and dignitaries when he was offered a seat at the head table with Abbas. An Abbas staffer later informed Pence that Abbas would like a private meeting with him that night and would send a car to pick him up at 10:40 p.m. Pence declined that offer as well.

Pence spokeswoman Kara Brooks confirmed the encounter Monday.

"The governor is in Israel to strengthen economic ties between Indiana and Israel, to support Israel and to enjoy Christmas with his family. He declined to meet with President Abbas because that was not the purpose of the trip," Brooks said.

Trips to Israel are often viewed as indicators of interest in a White House run. Pence has said he is considering running for the White House but will not announce a decision until after the legislative session.

Pence and many other conservatives have backed Israel and Jewish leaders in the ongoing fights with Palestinians.

Pence's trip abroad is being paid for by Christians United for Israel, a Christian conservative group founded in 2006 to strengthen ties between the religious right and Israel.

The governor spent the first half of his trip last week with his family, attending private events. The latter half of the trip started Monday, with a focus on economic development. He touted his Monday meeting with Netanyahu in a press statement.

"Our industries are finding their stride in the innovation sectors of life sciences, technology and advanced manufacturing, while our educational institutions share bonds in thought," Pence said in the statement.

Call Star reporter Tom LoBianco at (317) 444-7136. Follow him on Twitter: @tomlobianco