Donald Trump, speaking at an event commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel, declared that the upcoming US presidential election would be "the most important day in the history of Israel," Politico reports.
The former president made his remarks at his golf club in Miami, where he addressed a crowd of supportive Jewish leaders. Trump cast a potential victory by his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, as an existential threat to Israel. "If you want to know the truth, I believe that. I think you believe that, too," Trump said to applause. "If we don't win this election there is a tremendous consequence for everything."
President Trump takes the stage at October 7th Rememberance Event alongside Miriam Adelson in Miami, FL pic.twitter.com/u5sCIJVwFQ
— RSBN 🇺🇸 (@RSBNetwork) October 8, 2024
Trump blamed the Democratic administration for the atrocities that occurred a year ago, stating without evidence, "The October 7 attack would never have happened if I was president. The past two years have proven that weakness only begets violence and war."
Trump addressed the crowd at his golf club, describing October 7 as "one of the darkest hours in all of human history." He claimed that "Anti-Jewish hatred has returned even here in America" and is "within the ranks of the Democrat Party in particular."
The former president made a series of promises to the room, which included Republican lawmakers and prominent Jewish supporters like billionaire backer Miriam Adelson. "I will not allow the Jewish state to be threatened with destruction. I will not allow another holocaust of the Jewish people," Trump declared.
Both Trump and Harris broke from the campaign trail to attend solemn events marking the anniversary of the October 7 attack, which killed 1,200 people and sparked a bloody conflict in the region.
Harris spoke at the Naval Observatory, calling the massacre "pure evil" and urging that "the world must never forget" what happened. She and second gentleman Doug Emhoff planted a ceremonial pomegranate tree "to remind future vice presidents" not to "abandon the goal of peace, dignity and security for all."
Harris reiterated her commitment to "ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself" and demanded the release of hostages still held by Hamas. She also mentioned Palestinians, calling for "reliev[ing] the immense suffering of innocent Palestinians in Gaza, who have experienced so much pain and loss over the year."
Earlier in the day, Trump visited the New York City gravesite of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, known as Lubavitcher Rebbe. Wearing a yarmulke, he placed a note praying for the release of hostages held in Gaza and was accompanied by the parents of American-Israeli hostage Idan Alexander.
Republican vice presidential nominee Sen JD Vance addressed a memorial rally in Washington, criticizing the Biden administration's handling of the hostages as "disgraceful." He called on Harris to "bring them home" and use her authority to help resolve the situation.
