Donald Trump has announced that he will "postpone" a trip to Israel and a meeting scheduled for later this month with the country's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, until "after I become president of the U.S." Trump took to Twitter Thursday to say that he is postponing the trip and reiterated his decision on Fox News, saying that there were several reasons he decided to delay, including not wanting to put Netanyahu in a precarious position, given Trump's recent statements on Muslims and Jews.
"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, according to The Associated Press. He added: "I also did it because I'm in the midst of a powerful campaign that's going very well."
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
Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement Tuesday saying he would meet with Trump, it was a matter of policy for which he would meet with any U.S. presidential candidate who makes such a request. However, Netanyahu noted that he does not "endorse [Trump's] views."
"Prime Minister Netanyahu rejects Donald Trump's recent remarks about Muslims," the statement reads, The Independent reported. "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 also drew heavy criticism from a group of Republican Jewish donors last week after refusing to endorse Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel and for other controversial statements that perpetuates 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, Reuters reported. "You want to control your own politician."
Trump also said, "I’m a negotiator like you folks, we are negotiators. Is there anybody who doesn’t negotiate deals in this room."
