Donald Trump Says Israel Is Being Treated ‘Very, Very Unfairly’
Image by Getty Images
(JTA) — President-elect Donald Trump said Israel is being treated “very, very unfairly” and accused the Obama administration of treating Israel with “total disdain” hours after Secretary of State John Kerry’s speech about Israel and making peace with the Palestinians.
Trump spoke to reporters on the steps of his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida on Wednesday evening, in what is being reported as his longest media appearance since winning the election last month.
Trump sidestepped a question about whether Israel should stop building settlements in the West Bank, saying instead that he is “very very strong on Israel.”
Trump described Israel as being “up for 20 reprimands” at the United Nations and asked by countries that are “horrible places, that treat people horribly, haven’t even been reprimanded.”
Immediately following Kerry’s speech at the State Department, Trump said in a short statement that Kerry’s address “speaks for itself.”
Prior to the address, Trump slammed President Barack Obama in a tweet for treating Israel with “total disdain and disrespect,” referencing Obama’s decision not to veto a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement building.
“Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!” he also tweeted.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately responded to Trump’s tweet minutes after it was posted, thanking Trump for his “warm friendship and your clear-cut support.”
Trump spoke to reporters on Wednesday night alongside boxing entrepreneur Don King, who carried both a U.S. and an Israeli flag. King also wore two diamond necklaces, one with a pendant of a Star of David and the other an American flag.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
