Ben Carson confuses terrorist group Hamas with Middle Eastern food in speech to Republican Jews

"Does Obama have a plan to defeat hummus?" Ben Carson's latest foreign policy gaffe confuses a prominent terrorist group with a popular Middle Eastern food. "Does Obama have a plan to defeat hummus?" Ben Carson's latest foreign policy gaffe confuses a prominent terrorist group with a popular Middle Eastern food. Photo: Spencer Platt, Getty Images Photo: Spencer Platt, Getty Images Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Ben Carson confuses terrorist group Hamas with Middle Eastern food in speech to Republican Jews 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

Ben Carson’s muddling of foreign policy has cost him in recent GOP primary polls. His latest mix-up won’t mend his reputation, but it sure did provide a great moment of levity at the Republican Jewish Coalition on Thursday.

The soft-spoken conservative mispronounced the name of terrorist organization Hamas several times in a speech to Jewish Republicans. Instead he called the group “hummus” – the name of a popular Middle Eastern chickpea dish (also available and delicious at your local Texas grocery store).

Reporters at the event said Carson’s distortions of Hamas drew chuckles from the crowd. Those following along on social media also poked fun at the malapropism. (Does Barack Obama have a plan to defeat hummus? Does it involve pita bread?)

A lot of chuckles when Ben Carson pronounces "Hamas" because a few times sounded more like "hummus." Also possible folks ready for lunch. — Carrie Levine (@levinecarrie) December 3, 2015

"Obama doesn't even have a plan to defeat hummus" https://t.co/bdwysrwbaf — Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) December 3, 2015

Ben Carson is reading his 7th-grade book report on the Israel-Palestine conflict. And says "Hummus" rules the Gaza Strip. — Jesse Yomtov (@JesseYomtov) December 3, 2015

I have to disagree with Ben Carson. Hummus is delicious and we should have more of it. — Binyamin Appelbaum (@BCAppelbaum) December 3, 2015

Carson wasn’t the only one to give a memorable speech at the coalition event. Donald Trump spent his time on stage just checking off the list of old Jewish stereotypes.

Trump's continued praise for the business skills of Jewish people is... something. #RJCForum — daveweigel (@daveweigel) December 3, 2015

Trump to the Republican Jewish Coalition: "You're not going to support me because I don't want your money." What the hell does that mean? — Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) December 3, 2015

You have to give plaudits to Donald Trump for chutzpah. Who else gives a border line anti-Semitic speech at the Republican Jewish Coalition? — Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) December 3, 2015

His lines included:

“Is there anyone in this room who doesn’t negotiate deals,” he said. “Probably more than any room I’ve ever spoken.”

"I'm a negotiator like you folks."

You’re not going to support me “because I don’t want your money” … “you want to control your own politicians.”

The audience seemed amused by Trump’s lines until he touched on political issues. He drew boos for questioning whether Israel “has the commitment to make” peace and for refusing to say whether Jerusalem should be the “undivided capital" of Israel. He did receive a standing ovation at the conclusion of his talk.