The United States is closer than ever to World War III, former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump warned Thursday addressing the Israeli-American Council (IAC) conference in Washington, DC. He suggested that Israel's existence could be imperiled if Vice President Kamala Harris assumes the presidency.
Trump's address, given ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Oct.7 Hamas massacre, resonated strongly with the audience as he critiqued the current administration's foreign policy and pledged unwavering support for Israel.
Trump asserted that the slaughter, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed, including women and children, would not have occurred had he been president. He claimed that during his administration, Iran lacked financial resources.
After discussing US presidential polling figures, Trump spoke of "the sacred bond between the United States and Israel, and it's a bond that's in serious trouble."
"Tonight we honor the memory of all those who lost their lives in the Oct. 7 attacks and we pray to God that Israel will redeem those deaths with ultimate victory over those who wish to destroy it," he said.
During his speech, Trump met with families of American hostages Omer Neutra and Edan Alexander. He also brought IDF Brig. Gen. Dedi Simchi, who lost his son on Oct. 7, onto the stage as a gesture to the hostages. The former president vowed to bring the captives home.
Trump shared an anecdote from his 2015 campaign in Iowa, highlighting the support he received from Christian communities for his pro-Israel stance.
The former president addressed several issues, including the Ukraine conflict, the situation in Afghanistan, and Iran's nuclear ambitions. He criticized the current administration's handling of these matters, claiming that such events wouldn't have occurred under his leadership.
Regarding antisemitism, Trump called on university presidents to take action or risk losing funding. He also reminded the audience of his administration's pro-Israel actions, including recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and brokering the Abraham Accords.
Andrey Kozlov, rescued from Hamas captivity in a daring IDF mission, also addressed the conference. He implored leaders to find a way to bring home the remaining 101 hostages in Gaza, describing their dire situation.
Before the main conference, at an event supporting the fight against antisemitism, Trump emphasized the importance of defeating Harris in the upcoming election, framing it as crucial for Israel's survival.
Throughout his speech, Trump consistently tied Israel's future to the outcome of the upcoming US elections, warning against a Harris presidency while refraining from making specific promises about his own potential tenure.
