Netanyahu rejects calls to cancel meeting over Republican presidential frontrunner’s remarks that Muslims should be banned from entering the US

The Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, has confirmed he will meet Donald Trump despite an international outcry over the Republican presidential frontrunner’s suggestion that Muslims should be banned from entering the US.

The meeting – scheduled before Trump’s remarks triggered outrage in the US and globally – is due to take place on 28 December and is certain to be controversial in a country where a large minority of Israeli citizens are Muslims of Palestinian origin. Dozens of Israeli MPs have called for the invitation to be rescinded.

Several hours after confirming the meeting, Netanyahu’s office tweeted that the prime minister rejected Trump’s comments about Muslims, but added: “Israel is fighting against militant Islam that targets Muslims, Christians and Jews alike and threatens the entire world.”

PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Donald Trump's recent remarks about Muslims.

In a string of tweets, the prime minister’s office said Netanyahu had agreed to meet any US presidential candidate who visited Israel.

“This policy does not represent an endorsement of any candidate or his or her views. Rather, it is an expression of the importance that PM Netanyahu attributes to the strong alliance between Israel and the United States.”

Visits by US presidential candidates to Israel are often seen as much a part of their campaigning as being on the stump in Iowa or New Hampshire. The decision to go ahead with the meeting comes 24 hours after Trump’s comments and after the Israeli prime minister’s office declined to comment on the Republican’s remarks in light of his planned visit. Trump will not, however, be visiting neighbouring Jordan as had earlier been suggested.

The meeting was arranged a couple of weeks ago, Netanyahu’s office said on Wednesday, adding that the prime minister would meet any candidate from any party who arrives in Israel and seeks a meeting.

Trump announced on 3 December his plan to visit Israel. “Very soon I’m going to Israel,” Trump said at a rally in Virginia. “I’m going to be meeting with Bibi Netanyahu who’s a great guy – I love Israel and will support it wholeheartedly.”

The visit seems certain to be a minefield of protocol and diplomatic stage management, not least because of inflammatory remarks made by Netanyahu during Israel’s elections this year when he warned voters of “Arab voters coming out in droves”.

Trump’s visit also coincides with a period of renewed violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

Defending the move, sources close to Netanyahu said the Israeli leader “doesn’t agree with every statement by every candidate”.

Israel’s Channel 2 TV said the meeting would go ahead despite a letter the television company said had been signed by dozens of Israeli MPs opposing it. Among those opposing Trump’s visit was Issawi Frej, from the leftwing Meretz party, who asked the interior minister, Silvan Shalom, to block Trump’s visit.

“As an Israeli citizen, I ask that the state treat the racism against me in the same way it would relate to racism against Jews. Just as it is obvious that Israel wouldn’t allow an antisemite to use it to advance its political goals, so too, should be the case of Trump,” Frej said in a statement.

Omer Bar-Lev, from the Zionist Union, has also gone public with his opposition to Trump’s visit, tweeting: “As far as it depends on me, this racist @realDonaldTrump should not be welcome in the @knessetisrael.”

Trump’s comments also triggered strong criticism from leading US Jewish organisations, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) which said: “A plan that singles out Muslims and denies them entry to the US based on their religion is deeply offensive, and runs contrary to our nation’s deepest values.”

Jonathan Greenblatt, the ADL’s chief executive, said: “Mr Trump’s plan to bar people from entry to the United States based on their religion is unacceptable and antithetical to American values. The US was founded as a place of refuge for those fleeing religious persecution, and religious pluralism is core to our national identity. A plan that singles out Muslims and denies them entry to the US based on their religion is deeply offensive and runs contrary to our nation’s deepest values.”

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Trumps comments follow speeches in which he has used bigoted and racist language to target various groups including Mexicans.

On Monday the billionaire called for a complete ban on Muslims entering the country “until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on”.

He added: “Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life.”

Michael Oren, a former ambassador to the US and Israeli MP with the rightwing Kulanu party, said of Israel: “It’s important for leaders of a country close to 20% of whose population is Muslim to stand up and say that we distinguish between radical violent Islam and the faith that inspires millions not just here but internationally.”