The real estate billionaire and front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, speaking Monday to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, softened two positions that have created unease among pro-Israel activists – his insistence on remaining “neutral” in brokering Israeli-Palestinian peace and his refusal to commit to recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
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In what was otherwise a relatively benign speech for the controversial candidate, Trump delivered an impromptu jab at the president Monday night during AIPAC’s annual policy conference. “He may be the worst thing to ever happen to Israel, believe me, believe me”.
“The Palestinians must come to the table knowing that the bond between the United States and Israel is absolutely unbreakable”, Trump said.
U.S. presidential hopefuls routinely make pilgrimages to AIPAC during an election year. At the AIPAC, he hinted that he changed his mind.
Republicans swiftly criticized Clinton’s comments, with the party saying in a statement that her speech “was an attempt to whitewash a record of undermining Israel’s interests when she was secretary of state”. We have to protect Israel.
Trump has come under pressure to release more details of his foreign policy platform and his team of consultants, amid reports that mainstream conservative and neo-conservative experts are loath to endorse him.
Ahead of his speech, he unveiled the names of half a dozen advisors including Keith Kellogg, a retired US Army lieutenant general turned consultant who was chief operating officer for the US occupation of Iraq during its disastrous early months in 2003 and 2004.
“Probably so”, Trump said. “But I do like different opinions”.
One rabbi said he was aware of several colleagues preparing to walk out on Trump, but that he was going to listen to the address.
“We’ve stressed to both parties the need to take meaningful steps to demonstrate their commitment to a two-state solution that extends beyond mere words”, Biden said.
While Trump was due to address AIPAC later on Monday, Clinton also referred to his proposal to temporarily ban all foreign Muslims from entering the U.S. and “playing coy with white supremacists”. “Obviously, it didn’t work too well”.
In an interview later Monday with CNN, Trump clarified that he would “keep NATO” but pay less.
For those who thought the unusual story line related to Donald Trump’s hands had left the 2016 campaign trail with Sen. And I believe it’s our responsibility as citizens to say so. He talked about water and economic rights for Palestinians and said ending the economic blockade of Gaza would also be necessary for sustainable peace.
“Is there anybody that doesn’t renegotiate deals in this room?”
But where she supported President Barack Obama’s historic nuclear deal with Iran, Trump insisted his “number one priority” would be to dismantle the agreement.
Thomas Donnelly, a research fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, said “the rest of the world is quaking” at the idea of a Trump presidency.
“Palestinian leaders need to stop inciting violence, stop celebrating terrorists as martyrs, and stop paying rewards to their families”.
Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump favours a non-interventionist foreign policy focused on reducing the USA engagement in conflicts overseas while vowing complete support for “our most reliable ally” Israel.
During his remarks, which he described as the speech he would have given had he chosen to attend the powerful political lobby’s event today, the senator called the USA and Israel long-term friends but said that because of that special relationship they were “obligated to speak the truth” to each other.
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AIPAC bills itself as nonpartisan and has never endorsed a candidate.
