Sources: Trump mulling summer Israel visit ahead of GOP convention
The brash billionaire real estate tycoon is reportedly considering a visit to the Jewish state ahead of the GOP convention in July in attempt to increase support on his Middle East stance.
By JPOST.COM STAFF, JTARepublican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a campaign stop in Worcester, Massachusetts(photo credit: REUTERS)
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump may again be considering a trip to Israel before the anticipated US elections in November.The brash billionaire real estate tycoon is considering a visit to the Jewish state ahead of the GOP convention in July in attempt to increase support on his Middle East stance, New York Magazine on Wednesday cited four sources close to Trump as saying. While rumors have recently emerged that Trump supporters have been working to prepare for such a visit, the sources told the magazine that a trip has not yet been finalized.In May, reports surfaced that billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson was laying the groundwork for Trump to visit Israel this summer.Sources close to the mogul told the Guardian newspaper that Adelson, along with a band of big-money conservative allies and the Republican Jewish Coalition, have already begun planning Trump's anticipated visit, slated to take place before the Republican National Convention on July 18.If the report is confirmed, this would not be the first attempt by Trump and his campaign to visit the Jewish state.In December, Trump was forced to back out of a trip to Israel after coming under intense scrutiny for making anti-Muslim comments.Trump triggered a global firestorm earlier that month when he said that the US should clamp a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States while we figure out what the hell is going on.”“I have decided to postpone my trip and to schedule my meeting with Netanyahu at a later date after I become President of the US,” Trump said in a Twitter post shortly afterwards.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among those who condemned Trump's remarks. Shortly after the premier's rejection, the US presidential contender announced that he had cancelled his planned December Israel trip, which was slated to include a meeting between Netanyahu and Trump.