Donald Trump backs out of Israel visit, says he is waiting until he becomes president

Donald Trump has pulled out of his plans to visit Israel later this month, explaining in a tweet that he is waiting to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "at a later date, after I become President of the U.S." Although Trump did not specify why he had changed his plans — which on Tuesday he had said he was "looking forward to" — it might have something to do with the fallout from his highly-criticized plan to ban Muslims from entering the United States.

I have decided to postpone my trip to Israel and to schedule my meeting with @Netanyahu at a later date after I become President of the U.S.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2015

On Wednesday, the Israeli prime minister's office tweeted clarification that Netanyahu "rejects Donald Trump's recent remarks about Muslims" and that, "The State of Israel respects all religions and strictly guarantees the rights of all its citizens." The account added that Netanyahu had agreed to meet with any U.S. presidential candidate from either party who visited Israel and asked for a meeting, and that the policy "does not represent an endorsement of any candidate or his or her views."