Former U.S. President and current Republican candidate Donald Trump addressed attendees on Thursday evening during the opening session of the 2024 Israeli-American Council (IAC) National Summit.

“I believe we are closer to World War 3 than at any time in the history of this country,” Trump remarked. “We have leaders who are grossly incompetent. They have no idea what’s happening.”

He went on to reflect on the upcoming anniversary of a tragic event, stating, “In less than three weeks, we will mark the one-year anniversary of the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. On October 7, Hamas terrorists slaughtered more than 1,200 people…they tortured, kidnapped and horribly maimed thousands more. Unthinkable. Would not have happened if I was President. You know that.”

Trump then paid tribute to the victims of the attacks, saying, “Tonight we honor the memory of all who lost their lives in the October 7 attacks, and we pray to God that Israel will redeem their deaths with ultimate victory over those who wish to destroy it.”

During his speech, Trump invited Andrei Kozlov, a former hostage freed during “Operation Arnon” in Gaza, to join him on stage. Trump humorously noted, “He has more courage than I do.”

Reflecting on the horrors of the past year, Trump said, “This evening, we repeat the vow that we have kept in our hearts since the terrible day in October: Never again. This should never have happened. Weak leadership in the United States allowed this to happen, and it should never have happened.”

Warning of future dangers, he added, “If we continue down our current path, with four more years of Kamala [Harris], Israel will be faced not just with an attack but with total annihilation.”

Trump then made a pointed comment about voting preferences, stating, “I’ve said long and loud, and especially over the last few years: Anybody who’s Jewish, and loves being Jewish, and loves Israel, is a fool if they vote for a Democrat. But beyond that: If they love Israel, anyone who votes for Democrats and Kamala especially – she makes Barack Hussein Obama look like he loved Israel – you should have your head examined.”

He concluded with a clear message about the upcoming election, saying, “My message today is very simple: If you want Israel to survive, you need Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States. It’s very simple.”

The opening session marked the beginning of a significant three-day event that commemorated the October 7 attacks on Israel, remembering the victims, honoring the heroes, and highlighting the experiences of survivors and the families of those taken hostage.

Trump reflected on the state of international relations during his administration, particularly with Iran. “The saddest part: They had no money, they wanted to make a deal, and these guys came in and they never made a deal. Now they’re rich again because [Biden] took all the sanctions off and everybody started buying, in particular China.”

Promising swift action if reelected, Trump vowed, “We will deport the foreign jihad sympathizers and Hamas supporters from our midst. If you hate America, if you want to eliminate Israel – we will throw you out of our country so rapidly your head will spin.”

He also issued a stark prediction regarding Israel’s future, saying, “If I don’t win this election, Israel in my opinion will cease to exist within two years, and I believe I’m 100% percent right. If I do win, Israel will be safe and secured. We will stop the toxic poison of antisemitism from spreading here.”

Aside from Trump’s main address, the event also featured appearances by other notable figures, including Andrei Kozlov, who spoke prior to Trump. Additionally, the parents of hostages still held by Hamas, Yael and Adi Alexander of Tenafly, NJ, whose son Edan remains in captivity, and Orna and Ronen Neutra of Plainview, NY, whose son Omer is also being held, addressed the audience.

IAC CEO Elan Carr, a former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, and the current U.S. Special Envoy, Deborah Lipstadt, are both slated to discuss the significance of the upcoming October 7 anniversary.

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