Yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued the following statement repudiating GOP presidential front-runner Donald J. Trump’s call to ban all Muslims from entering the United States:
Prime Minister Netanyahu rejects Donald Trump’s recent remarks about Muslims.
The State of Israel respects all religions and strictly guarantees the rights of all its citizens. At the same time, Israel is fighting against militant Islam that targets Muslims, Christians and Jews alike and threatens the entire world.
As for the meeting with Mr. Trump that was set some two weeks ago, the Prime Minister decided earlier this year on a uniform policy to agree to meet with all presidential candidates from either party who visit Israel and ask for a meeting.
This policy does not represent an endorsement of any candidate or his or her views. Rather, it is an expression of the importance that Prime Minister Netanyahu attributes to the strong alliance between Israel and the United States.
This is a powerful repudiation given that
-Netanyahu is the world’s foremost expert on Islamofascist terrorism;
-As Prime Minister of Israel, Netanyahu is on the front line of the battle against Islamofascist terrorism;
-The destruction of Israel is one of the foremost goals of every brand of Muslim extremist, and Israel battles numerous terrorist attacks throughout its country on literally a daily basis;
-Trump granted a request by Netanyahu to appear in a campaign commercial for him just three months ago; and
-Netanyahu knows that Trump is the Republican front-runner and that his his relationship with the next president is vital to Israel’s national security.
In short, Netanyahu recognized that bigotry against an entire religion is so antithetical to the values of western society and of Judeo-Christian principles that even given the risks inherent in an Israeli prime minister criticizing an American presidential front-runner, he could not in good conscience remain silent.
Trump was scheduled to meet with Netanyahu in Israel on December 28. After Netanyahu renounced Trump’s position on Muslims, Trump responded predictably by cancelling his trip.
