Rand Paul was unable to make his afternoon speaking time due to votes in the Senate. This room negotiates deals… perhaps more than any room I’ve ever spoken to.
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“Some of us renegotiate deals…is there anybody that doesn’t renegotiate deals in this room?” But his comments on the peace process drew marked silence and refusal to take a clear position on Jerusalem drew boos.
“I’m a negotiator like you folks, we are negotiators”, Trump said, drawing laughter before pivoting to how he would renegotiate the Iran deal.
“You’re not going to support me because I don’t want your money”, Trump said.
In his interview with AP, Trump was short on specifics about how he would tackle trying to broker peace in the Middle East, or even whether he supports the longstanding USA government goal of a two-state solution – saying he didn’t want to show any bias in favor of one side or the other in case he does become president.
Israel says demolitions act as a deterrent to potential attackers, while rights groups and Palestinians say it amounts to collective punishment, forcing family members to suffer for acts committed by someone else.
During the 2013 election campaign, Trump released a 36-second video voicing ardent support for Netanyahu, which he later said was done at Netanyahu’s behest.
“I’m leading in every single poll in every single state, in every single national poll”, he said. “But a lasting deal, a real deal – not a phony deal that’s going to last a week and then bad things start happening again….”
Trump, who has said he is so wealthy that he doesn’t need the help of donors like Adelson, said in an October 13 interview on Fox News, “I like Sheldon a lot”.
A lawyer representing one suspect held over the arson appeared in court in the Israeli city of Lod on Thursday to request access to speak with his client, but was refused, he said.
Trump criticized some of his fellow GOP rivals, though none of the high-polling ones.
He warned that Israel must be prepared to make sacrifices, but would not give any details of what those sacrifices might entail.
It was an extraordinary speech to a group used to deferential treatment. “Five months ago I was with you”, Trump said, pointing to his recent past as a much sought-after political donor who filled the campaign coffers of both Republicans and Democrats. “It just doesn’t work”. “I think the public relations for Israel hasn’t been so great…Israel’s given a lot, but hasn’t been given a lot of credit for what they’ve given”. Other Republican candidates have pledged to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem if elected, in support of this idea.
On Thursday, all the candidates declared their support for moving the embassy and recognizing Jerusalem as the capital.
“I don’t know that Israel has the commitment to make (a deal)”, Trump said.
There were a few boos in the audience for his dodge. “You just like me because my daughter happens to be Jewish”, Trump said as he took the stage. “It’s going to be fine”.
Trump said a key to peace negotiations would be meeting early in his presidency with top leaders in the region. “And I’m going to give it my best”.
He said the elderly patriarch was not watching “CSI” anymore.
Trump got mixed reviews after his speech.
The super PAC supporting Bush also held a breakfast on the sidelines of the event. “And all of us are deeply concerned that this is yet another manifestation of terrorism, radical Islamic terrorism here at home”.
“This horrific murder underscores that we are in a time of war”, Cruz said. “As a former prosecutor…”
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As he defended his pro-Israel credentials, Trump raised doubts about those of Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton when asked whether he believes she is a friend of Israel.
