TRUMP PICKS PRO-ISRAEL STALWART MIKE PENCE AS RUNNING MATE: Donald Trump picked Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, a pro-Israel stalwart and conservative Christian, as his running mate. Trump had previously postponed a Friday 15 July 2016, news conference during which he had been expected to announce his running mate, out of deference to the terrorist attack in Nice, France. Pence, 57, emerged quickly as a leader on pro-Israel issues during his 12 years in Congress from 2001 to 2013. He led a number of bids to place conditions on funding for the Palestinian Authority, and in 2007 he joined then-Rep. Ron Klein, D-Fla., in convening the Congressional Anti-Semitism Task Force. Pence continued his pro-Israel advocacy as Indiana governor, earlier this year signing one of the most robust state laws targeting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel. Pence is known as a social conservative and Evangelical Christian. He opposes abortion rights as well as gay marriage. He signed a measure in March 2016 prohibiting abortions based on “sex, race, color, national origin, ancestry, or disability, including Down syndrome.” He has notably said he dislikes negative campaigning, which may blunt some of the sharp edge of Trump’s rhetoric. (JTA)