He questioned for the first time both sides’ commitment to peace, adding that he would know within six months of being elected president whether he could broker an elusive peace accord.
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“Is there anyone in this room who doesn’t negotiate deals”, he said.
The attack led to widespread condemnation globally and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labelled it “terrorism” – a word usually used by Israelis to refer to violence committed by Palestinians.
Kasich also followed Trump’s anecdote by sharing his personal experience with the Jewish people who make “really good friend[s]” because they are loyal. “If you’re going to make a deal, you could make a great deal, you can’t go in with the attitude we’re going to shove it down your – you gotta go in and get it and do it nicely so everyone is happy”. “Five months ago, I was with you”.
WASHINGTON (RNS) Republican candidates tried to impress the audience by speaking of their commitment to Jewish values and Israel at the Republican Jewish Coalition forum on Thursday (Dec. 3), but some felt that Donald Trump crossed a line and trafficked in stereotypes. Marco Rubio of Florida and Sen. “They are dead wrong, and don’t understand the enduring bond between Israel and America”. “This room perhaps more than any room I’ve ever spoken to”. Bush underscored that an essential foreign policy goal would be to “restore the ruptured relationship with Israel”.
“It’s become so defining, it’s like he has it written on his forehead”, Trump said.
“I’m a negotiator, like you folks”, Trump said. “Israel’s given a lot, but hasn’t been given credit”.
While the other candidates largely pledged allegiance to Israel, Trump stood alone among his Republican competitors in questioning the nation’s willingness to seek peace with Palestinians.
The rest of his answer, about a planned post-Christmas trip to Israel, was interrupted by scattered jeering.
Trump’s lack of specifics but continued success riled one of his opponents, South Carolina Sen.
There was one issue that all candidates had to weigh in on – and if they didn’t put it in their speech, they were asked about it in Q&A: Jerusalem.
“I want your support”, the billionaire said.
He said: “You’re not going to support me even though you know I’m the best thing that could happen to Israel”.
“I think Donald Trump is destroying the Republican Party”, Graham said. “I’ll be able to tell in one sit-down meeting with the real leaders”. To a question from the audience, “Can you talk about Israel?” The U.S. does not now recognize the Palestinian territories as an independent state, though the U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly voted in 2012 to recognize Palestine as a “non-member observer state”.
Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli troops opened fire and killed a Palestinian man near the city of Ramallah on the same day after accusing him of being behind a stabbing attack that wounded an Israeli.
Like other Republican candidates, Rubio and Cruz have sided with Israel in various disputes its government has had with President Obama and his administration. The group and its biggest benefactor – casino magnate Sheldon Adelson – have little tolerance for anything that might be perceived as a criticism of the Jewish state.
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He doubled down on those comments Thursday in an auditorium packed with Israel’s most loyal supporters. Taking the stage around noon Thursday, Trump offered a somewhat quieter version of his rambling tough-guy shtick, boasting about his wealth, his awards, and his poll numbers. “It’s probably the toughest deal to make”.
