Trump’s Israel trip off after Muslim remarks

ANT KATZ with JTA

It seems that the more often he puts his foot in it, the more popular he becomes. Donald Trump cancelled plans to visit Israel this month after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the presidential candidate’s call to ban Muslims from entering the United States.

Trump did not say what prompted the reversal of his recent pledge to visit by the end of this year.

But on Wednesday, Netanyahu blasted Trump for his remarks about Muslims, while saying he would nonetheless extend the real estate billionaire and reality TV star the courtesy of meeting him.

Saying he “rejected” Trump’s remarks, Netanyahu (PICTURED RIGHT) in his statement described militant Islam as a threat faced by people of all faiths.

“The State of Israel respects all religions and strictly guarantees the rights of all its citizens,” he said.

“At the same time, Israel is fighting against militant Islam that targets Muslims, Christians and Jews alike and threatens the entire world.”

Trump earlier this week called for “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.”

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Republican and Democratic politicians are among the many who have condemned his remarks, including numerous Jewish leaders.

The Israeli daily Haaretz quoted unnamed officials from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office as saying that they were not involved in any way in the cancellation of Trump’s visit.