Trump cancels visit to Israel after offending Muslims, Jews

Will reschedule ‘after I become President of the U.S.’

JERUSALEM • Donald Trump Thursday called off a planned December trip to Israel, shelving what was shaping up to be an awkward visit by the Republican presidential front-runner after comments that offended Muslims and Jews alike.

Dozens of Israeli lawmakers had called for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel the Dec. 28 meeting with Trump. Wary of being seen as endorsing Trump’s positions despite his own Republican leanings, Netanyahu had given only guarded remarks, saying he would honour a previously scheduled meeting but at the same time rejecting Trump’s calls to ban Muslims from entering the United States.

Trump tweeted he would reschedule “at a later date after I become President of the U.S.”

He told Fox News there were many reasons he decided to postpone the trip, among them he didn’t want to put Netanyahu in a bind.

“In fact, I did a campaign ad for him, and he’s a good man, but I didn’t want to put him under pressure,” Trump said. “I also did it because I’m in the midst of a powerful campaign that’s going very well.”

Trump has had the Republican party in turmoil over his call for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the U. S. after last week’s shootings in San Bernardino, Calif. Critics say the proposal is racist and unconstitutional.

Trump also sparked criticism among many American Jews last week after speaking to Jewish donors. He was booed after refusing to endorse Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel, a key Israeli position.

He also made remarks some said promoted Jewish stereotypes.

“I know why you’re not going to support me: you’re not going to support me because I don’t want your money,” Trump said. “You want to control your own politician.”

He also said, “I’m a negotiator, like you folks.”

Marc Zell, co-chairman of Republicans Overseas Israel, said there had been no pressure from the organization, which represents Republican expatriates in Israel, for Trump not to come.

But stressing he was expressing his opinion, he said the cancellation was for the best.

“He’s welcome to visit Israel, but I think it’s better that he didn’t come because his visit here would have been marred by a loud dissenting voice coming from all sectors of the population, including me,” Zell said.

Trump’s comments on Muslims and Jews were in “poor taste” and showed he does not have what it takes to be president, he said.