11th December, 2015
(AFP Photo/Kena Betancur)
United States Republican presidential aspirant Donald Trump on Thursday said he would delay his planned visit to Israel until “after I become president.”
According to a report, Trump was to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a visit to Israel on December 28.
However, Trump has found himself at the centre of worldwide criticism ever since he suggested on Monday that the US ban Muslims from entering the country.
He voiced the idea after the Dec.2 deadly attack in San Bernardino, California, by a radicalised married couple that left 14 dead.
The couple, who were killed in the wake of the attack, have been linked to the Islamic State terrorist group.
Voters in several nations – including Israel – have protested against the possibility of Trump coming to visit their countries after making the comments. Netanyahu also rejected Trump’s remarks.
Trump, however, continues to lead the pack for the Republican nomination, despite months of outrage over a variety of statements on religion, women’s rights and minorities.
Many commentators have said such statements would have sunk the campaign of most other candidates.