President Obama’s refusal to use the term “radical Islamic terrorism” indicates that “there is something going on with him that we don’t know about”, Republican front-runner Donald Trump said Thursday, an ominous comment that echoed Trump’s history of questioning Obama’s birthplace and airing of false claims that he practices Islam.
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The other candidates at the forum also bragged about their Jewish ties – their friendliness toward Israel and the depth of their friendships with Jews.
Trump said it would be up to the parties to decide what concessions they would make and he learned in negotiations that participants shouldn’t announce in advance what they would accept or reject.
“And thank God he’s one of the candidates, among others, that isn’t overly concerned with this political correctness sensitivity bullshit which is ruining our country and inhibits freedom of speech”, he said. While Trump wouldn’t say whether he was referring to the Israelis or the Palestinians, he said the chances for a lasting peace rest with Israel. He said that making such an assertion would remove his ability to negotiate a deal between the Palestinians and Israel if he becomes president. “They are dead wrong, and don’t understand the enduring bond between Israel and America”.
“If I win, I’ll let you know six months from the time I take office”, he added.
Trump was among 14 Republican presidential contenders on the speaking program for Thursday’s meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition, a group that includes many GOP donors and whose primary benefactor, casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson, spent more on the 2012 federal elections than any other donor.
Bush, who had been described as “low energy” by the GOP front-runner, Donald Trump, barely an hour before, was anything but in his appearance at the forum.
At a speech in Acre on Tuesday, Netanyahu said that Israel had a problem “especially with a part of the European Union establishment”. In the same interview, Trump declined to say whether he supports a two-state solution, which has been the US government’s policy goal for years.
“I have a real question as to whether or not both sides want to make it”, Trump said.
Rubio was the third speaker of the day, following fellow Senators Lindsay Graham and Ted Cruz – and of the three, the junior senator from Florida devoted the most time to discussing Israel.
“He didn’t read The Art of the Deal”, Trump said. “I want the Brits and the French and the Germans and the Belgians and the Spanish, I want them to be part of who we are because in a group, collectively, we are stronger than when we go alone”. “There’s something going on with him that we don’t know about”, Trump said of the president.
He said Israel already has made concessions to the Palestinians that have been unappreciated.
Trump told the AP he planned to meet Netanyahu during a trip to Israel “sometime after Christmas, probably”.
“Who’s the wise guy?”
Though adding that Israel’s building in West Bank settlements would be a “huge sticking point” in peace talks.
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Today Trump told the donors gathered at the Republican Jewish Coalition: “You’re not going to support me because I don’t want your money”- even though he will be “the best thing for Israel”.
