Marc Zell, the co-chairman of Republicans Overseas Israel, said that there had been no pressure from the organization, which represents Republican expatriates living in Israel, for Trump not to come.
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Although Republicans and Democrats alike have spoken out against Trump’s suggested ban, many of his supporters applaud it. Some members of the mosque fear his words could lead to anti-Muslim sentiments.
On Thursday, a poll from NBC News and the Wall Street Journal was released that might undermine Trump’s confidence about the level of support that proposal enjoys – if anything can undermine Trump’s confidence on anything.
There were serious concerns a visit from Trump would further inflame tensions – among Palestinians, the vast majority of whom are Muslim, as well as the million plus Muslims who live in Israel.
Without revealing the name of this individual, Trump said “one of the most important people in Middle East” called him on Wednesday to say “Donald, you’re doing a great service”.
In that last brokered convention, the establishment rallied around incumbent president Gerald Ford to block then-insurgent Ronald Reagan.
But he received support from TV personality and MailOnline columnist Katie Hopkins, who urged the public not to demonise him.
“In India, we have equal rights for everyone and we don’t look towards communities with suspicion”, he told a Washington news conference when asked about Trump. “At this point, I think he’s realized that Donald is not going to implode so he’s making his move”.
Think of democracy as a crucible in which the absurd, mean-spirited pandering ideas of a Donald Trump can be tested – in a forum where results cannot be dismissed – long before frustrated partisans reach the violent extremes we have seen too much of in recent months. They all know each other.
“Nobody, nobody, nobody wants your evil cult in this county”, one man shouted while pointing his finger at Shalaby, as others in the audience clapped and cheered.
Trump also made remarks that some said promoted Jewish stereotypes.
“It takes time to complete petitions”, said Richard Winger, who runs the website Ballot Access News, which chronicles the various hurdles to independent candidacies that the two established parties have set up in various states.
Trump’s proposal is reprehensible, and it is part of a growing undercurrent of Islamophobia that is making life hard for the approximately three million Muslims in the United States. “(John B.) Anderson got on in all 50 (states in 1980) and he didn’t start until April 24”.
Republicans still don’t expect Cruz will go all-in against Trump, the way contenders like Jeb Bush, John Kasich, Rick Perry and Bobby Jindal have.
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Trump’s latest antics play perfectly into Islamic State’s hands, confirming its message that the West is an evil, hostile land where Muslims are unsafe and where they will be persecuted simply for being Muslim.
