But shortly after news of the visit was reported, the prime minister’s office criticised Mr Trump’s comments about Muslims, but said he would still meet Mr Trump.
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A solid majority of Americans disagree with Donald Trump’s proposal to temporarily ban all Muslims from entering the USA, according to a new poll – though a majority of Republicans agree with him. But overseas, the Israel trip is just one of many casualties.
“I don’t believe he’s capable of being the president of the United States because I think he lacks good judgment”, he added, stressing that he was voicing a personal opinion.
The critique spilled into view, though, threatening to end months of the presidential rivals playing nice.
“If we wanted, as a nation, we could keep everybody out of the country”, William Baer said. The UN refugee agency said Trump’s remarks could jeopardize the ongoing refugee resettlement process.
Looking on the light side, Rick Kriseman, the Democratic mayor of Saint Petersburg in Florida, tweeted: “I am hereby barring Donald Trump from entering St Petersburg until we fully understand the unsafe threat posed by all Trumps”.
“Donald Trump is saying what 95 percent of the people of this country, that belong to this country, that were born and raised in this country, feel and think”, said 83-year-old J.W. Stepp, a registered Republican who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. “Christie got an endorsement from this insane newspaper up there”, said Trump.
Still, when thinking about immigration policy in general, 59 percent also say the US “should treat all potential immigrants equally”.
But a visit by the outspoken Trump had put the Israeli leader in a bind. “And I think the lion’s share of their supporters come to us”.
Over a three-decade political career, Netanyahu has sought to portray himself as the world’s foremost expert on Islamic extremism.
No stranger to controversy, Netanyahu came under heavy criticism early this year when he warned that Arabs were voting “in droves” as he made an urgent election-day plea to supporters. Some 37 lawmakers, almost a third of the parliament, signed the petition. Politicians and governments are scrambling to disassociate themselves from Trump and American Muslims have thus far reacted with dignified and entirely justified outrage.
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The Republican establishment can not stand Trump and are busy trying to figure out a way to get rid of him while shoring up his voters. They will probably be asked whether they still abide by the pledge they took to support the Republican nominee – even if it’s Trump.
