AIPAC Denounces Trump Criticism Of Obama’s Relationship With Israel

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at the 2016 American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference at the Verizon Center, on Monday, March 21, 2016, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on Tuesday condemned Donald Trump’s Monday night comments criticizing President Obama during a speech at an AIPAC conference.

“We say unequivocally that we do not countenance ad hominem attacks, and we take great offense to those that are levied against the United States of America from our stage,” AIPAC president Lillian Pinkus said on Tuesday, reading from a written statement at the conference, according to Politico. “While we may have policy differences, we deeply respect the office of the president of the United States and our president, Barack Obama.”

During his Monday night speech, Trump said that Obama has treated Israel “very, very badly” and “may be the worst thing that ever happened to Israel.”

Pinkus apologized on Tuesday for those offended by Trump’s remarks.

“There are people in our AIPAC family who were deeply hurt last night, and for that, we are deeply sorry,” she said, according to Politico. “We are disappointed that so many people applauded a sentiment that we neither agree with or condone.”

“Let us take this moment to pledge to each other that in this divisive and tension-filled political season, we will not allow those who wish to divide our movement from the left or from the right will not succeed in doing so,” Pinkus added.

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