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Donald Trump will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 28
The billionaire businessman first brought up the trip to Israel last week at a campaign rally in Manassas, Virginia
Donald Trump will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 28, according to an Israeli government official, who said that the meeting was scheduled two weeks ago.
The official could not say which topics would be discussed or where the meeting would take place.
Soon after the meeting was announced, Netanyahu’s office condemned recent comments made by the brash billionaire to ban Muslims from entering the U.S.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu rejects Donald Trump’s recent remarks about Muslims,” according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
“The State of Israel respects all religions and strictly guarantees the rights of all its citizens. At the same time, Israel is fighting against militant Islam that targets Muslims, Christians and Jews alike and threatens the entire world,” the statement said.
“The Prime Minister decided earlier this year on a uniform policy to agree to meet with all presidential candidates from either party who visit Israel and ask for a meeting,” the statement added, saying that this decision shouldn’t be interpreted as an endorsement of any individual or perspective.
Trump first brought up the trip to Israel last week at a campaign rally in Manassas, Virginia.
“Very soon I’m going to Israel,” Trump told the crowd. “I’m going to be meeting with (Prime Minister) Bibi Netanyahu.”
The Trump campaign declined Wednesday to reveal details on the trip or confirm the date of the meeting.
CNN’s Noah Gray, Tal Kopan and Jim Sciutto contributed to this report.
