Donald Trump’s campaign debuted a video at a Republican event in Jerusalem linking the “honor and respect” for Jewish values he says learns from his family to his support for Israel.
The one-minute video aired for the first time Oct. 26 at a Republicans Overseas Israel event on the rooftop of the Harp of David restaurant overlooking the Western Wall and Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem.
“For me, respect and reverence for Judaism is personal. My daughter Ivanka and my son-in-law Jared are raising their children in the Jewish faith, always reminding me the important values and lessons we learn about leadership, resolve and families in Jewish tradition,” Trump says in the video, referring to his eldest daughter, who underwent an Orthodox conversion before marrying real estate magnate and newspaper publisher Jared Kushner in 2010.
“My administration will stand side by side with the Jewish people and Israel’s leaders to continue strengthening the bridges that connect not only Jewish Americans and Israelis, but also all Americans and Israelis. Together, we will stand up to the enemies like Iran bent on destroying Israel and her people. Together, we will make America and Israel safe again.”
Several hundred Israeli supporters were on hand for the Republicans Overseas Israel event, headlined “Jerusalem Forever,” which the group said was meant to affirm the Jewish people’s ties to Jerusalem. That same day Israel recalled its envoy to UNESCO to protest the cultural heritage body’s passage of two resolutions this week noting only the Muslim ties to the Temple Mount.
“I love Israel and honor and respect the Jewish faith and tradition, and it’s important that we have a president who feels the same way,” the Republican presidential nominee says in the video.
Tzika Brot, head of the Trump campaign in Israel, reportedly called seven venues in Jerusalem about potentially hosting the event, with four agreeing and three saying no. According to the Jerusalem Post, the Aish HaTorah yeshiva rejected a request to host the event on its rooftop garden overlooking the Western Wall and Temple Mount, to avoid appearing to be siding with the Republican Party.
“We decided not to do the event, because Aish is a nonprofit that doesn’t get involved in partisan politics,” Aish director general Rabbi Steven Burg told the Post.
“We believe 80 percent [of U.S. voters in Israel] will vote for Trump based on our data,” Brot said on Oct. 23. “They know at the end of day, they have to pick one, and they will vote for the one who they think is best for Israel.
Last month, Trump said unless he is elected, Israel will be destroyed by the nuclear deal signed by Iran and six world powers, including the United States. He blamed President Barack Obama and his Democratic rival for the presidency, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, for the deal. — jta