Donald Trump announced on Thursday morning that he would postpone his December trip to visit Israel and meet with Benjamin Netanyahu, one day after the Israeli prime minister denounced Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from visiting the United States.
I have decided to postpone my trip to Israel and to schedule my meeting with @Netanyahu at a later date after I become President of the U.S.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2015
On Wednesday afternoon, Netanyahu issued a statement disagreeing with Trump’s plan to bar Muslims from the country.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu rejects Donald Trump’s recent remarks about Muslims,” his office said in a statement on Wednesday. “The State of Israel respects all religions and strictly guarantees the rights of all its citizens. At the same time, Israel is fighting against militant Islam that targets Muslims, Christians and Jews alike and threatens the entire world.”
Trump had scheduled a trip to Israel to meet with Netanyahu on December 28. Netanyahu’s office said on Wednesday that he would still meet with Trump, noting the prime minister’s policy of meeting with any U.S. presidential candidate, according to The Guardian.
As for the meeting with Mr. Trump that was set some two weeks ago, the Prime Minister decided earlier this year on a uniform policy »
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 9, 2015
» to agree to meet with all presidential candidates from either party who visit Israel and ask for a meeting.
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 9, 2015
This policy does not represent an endorsement of any candidate or his or her views.
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 9, 2015
Rather, it is an expression of the importance that PM Netanyahu attributes to the strong alliance between Israel and the United States.
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 9, 2015
