WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump questioned Israel’s commitment to the Mideast peace process while courting Jewish political activists on Thursday, drawing boos from some and opening a sharp new division with his Republican rivals on key foreign policy question for many GOP voters.
Pressed to explain his comments in an interview with The Associated Press in which Trump said “I have a real question as to whether or not both sides want to make” a deal, the Republican front-runner refused to back down while speaking to the influential Republican Jewish Coalition — a staunch Israeli ally.
“I don’t know that Israel has the commitment to make it, and I don’t know the other side has the commitment to make it,” Trump said.
The comment drew murmurs of disapproval. He soon drew a smattering of boos after refusing to say whether Jerusalem should serve as the undivided capital of Israel, a priority for many in America’s pro-Israel lobby.
Trump shrugged off the criticism.
“You’re not going to support me even though you know I’m the best thing that could happen to Israel,” Trump said. “I know why you’re not going to support me: because I don’t want your money.”
Trump was among 14 Republican presidential contenders on the speaking program for Thursday’s meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition, a group that includes many GOP donors and whose primary benefactor, casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson, spent more on the 2012 federal elections than any other donor.
Adelson’s willingness to make a huge political investment helps explain why his signature group has attracted all of the major GOP presidential candidates to its forum in Washington — even though the man himself wasn’t among the hundreds in attendance.
While the other candidates largely pledged allegiance to Israel, Trump stood alone among his Republican competitors in questioning the nation’s willingness to seek peace with Palestinians.
“Some in our own party — in the news today — have actually questioned Israel’s commitment to peace,” said Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL). “Some in our own party actually call for more sacrifice from the Israeli people. They are dead wrong, and they don’t understand the enduring bond between Israel and America.”
Rubio continued: “I reject those who believe that Israel is the impediment to peace,” he said. “Let me be crystal clear: there is no moral equivalence between Israel and its enemies.”
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), like Rubio, offered a staunch defense of Israel.
“We need a president who will stand unapologetically with the nation of Israel,” said Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
Michael Leventoff, a New York businessman and member of the Republican Jewish Coalition, said Trump questioning Israel’s commitment to the peace process is another example of him “just getting it wrong.”
“There’s plenty of evidence of Israel’s repeated attempts at peace,” he said. “This is exactly why Trump is what I like to call a brilliant idiot. He should know better, and probably does.”
While there was no chance Thursday for the candidates to interact with Adelson, who is on a personal trip, many candidates already have met with him.
Each of the candidates is strong on the issues that concern Adelson the most, chief among them protection of Israel, said his political adviser, Andy Abboud.
“He has no plans now, or in the immediate future, to get involved in the primary,” Abboud said.
“The Adelsons are generally pleased with all of the Republican candidates and feel that the primary process will work its way out,” he said.
Still, the prospect of Adelson’s nod looms large for the GOP field. He almost single-handedly propped up former House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s 2012 presidential bid and was widely criticized for prolonging an ugly primary season.
Adelson is taking a more pragmatic approach to the 2016 GOP contest.
“It’s important to him that campaigns show that they can garner their own resources, build their own ground game and effectively mount a campaign that can win in the fall,” Abboud said.
Many of the candidates have been eager to portray themselves as close to Adelson.
Trump, who has said he is so wealthy that he doesn’t need the help of donors like Adelson, said in an Oct. 13 interview on Fox News, “I like Sheldon a lot. He’s been a person I’ve known over the years. We have a very good relationship.”
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Associated Press writer Scott Bauer contributed to this report.
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