At RJC Event, Trump Vows to Deport Hamas Supporters and Strengthen US-Israel Alliance if Elected

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a recent address to the Republican Jewish Coalition, former President Donald Trump laid out his vision for national security and foreign policy, with a particular focus on combating anti-Israel extremism and expelling those who support Hamas and other Iranian-backed terror groups. The Times of Israel reported that while speaking via video, Trump promised a hardline approach toward foreign nationals and US residents who sympathize with Hamas, stating that they would be expelled from the United States if he were to win the presidency again in 2024. The TOI report added that his remarks received an enthusiastic response from the audience, who punctuated his speech with chants of “Trump.”

https://youtu.be/w1Oh3byDzsc?si=Kxi9dmkwWK9Hir39

“When I am president, we will deport the foreign jihad sympathizers and Hamas supporters from within our midst,” Trump said, striking a bold tone, as was noted in the TOI report. These words reflected his broader position on national security and immigration. This pledge, which drew loud applause from the Republican Jewish Coalition crowd, exemplifies Trump’s zero-tolerance stance toward groups and individuals seen as a threat to the US or its allies, particularly Israel.

He drove home this message by stressing, “If you hate America, if you want to eliminate Israel, then we don’t want you in our country,” as per the information in the TOI report. His remarks implied an urgent need to address those who promote ideologies hostile to American values and that stand in contradiction to Israel’s right to exist.

Elsie Stefanik recounting Trump’s historic wins for Israel at @RJC. pic.twitter.com/rkYeL3p8VS

— Jessica Vaugn (@JessicaVaugn) September 5, 2024

While Trump’s pledge to expel Hamas supporters may resonate with those concerned about national security and anti-Semitism, it raises questions regarding the limits of free speech in the United States. Hamas, which has been designated as a terrorist organization by the US government, has been condemned for its acts of violence against Israeli civilians. However, according to the TOI report, US laws protecting free speech allow individuals to express support for groups, even those classified as hate groups or terror organizations, provided they do not incite violence or engage in criminal activity.

The tension between curbing extremist ideologies and upholding constitutional rights would likely be a key challenge in implementing any policy aimed at deporting supporters of such groups. Trump’s proposals may require significant legal maneuvering to reconcile with existing First Amendment protections.

President Trump brought the house down at @RJC! https://t.co/OlXxVfeCeI pic.twitter.com/SJSrrX6JNS

— Bryan E. Leib (@BryanLeibFL) September 5, 2024

Trump also took the opportunity to defend his administration’s decision to cut funding to the Palestinian Authority (PA) during his first term, signaling that his foreign policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would continue to favor Israel, as per the information in the TOI report. He portrayed the PA as an adversary, stating, “The Palestinian Authority is not our friend.”

This position was consistent with his administration’s policy of defunding the PA and redirecting resources to support Israel. Trump’s remarks reflected his view that US taxpayer dollars should not be used to support an organization that he perceives as antagonistic to American and Israeli interests. “We were paying them a fortune every year, and I said, ‘we’re not gonna pay it.’ They’re not our friends, and not the friends of Israel,” he added, as was indicated in the TOI report.

Trump, speaking remotely from New York, is welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd at @RJC summit pic.twitter.com/W6acUgVlc6

— Matthew Kassel (@matthewkassel) September 5, 2024

Under Trump, US aid to the PA was significantly reduced, marking a departure from decades of US policy that provided financial support in the hope of fostering a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His administration’s moves were widely seen as aligning closely with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, particularly through policies such as relocating the US embassy to Jerusalem.

During his speech, Trump also addressed the tragic execution of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a US citizen who had been taken hostage on October 7^th and recently murdered in cold blood by Iranian-backed Hamas terrorist.  According to the information contained in the TOI report,  Trump offered his heartfelt condolences to Goldberg-Polin’s family, and his words were somber and personal. “To Hersh’s family, we pray that G-d will grant you comfort, healing, and peace,” he said, emphasizing the grief shared by the broader American and Jewish communities over his death and the murders of five others hostages in Hamas captivity.

Trump’s tribute to Goldberg-Polin was an emotionally charged moment in his speech, as he condemned Hamas in no uncertain terms. Referring to the group responsible for the murder, he said, “As for the evil savages responsible for these murders, may they never know peace and comfort ever again.”

Noted in the TOI report was that the tribute not only called attention to Trump’s personal connection to the Goldberg-Polin family but also highlighted his broader condemnation of Hamas and its violent tactics, framing his policy proposals as part of a moral imperative to combat what he called “evil savages.”

Trump’s remarks reflected his longstanding commitment to Israel and his hawkish stance on groups such as Hamas. His foreign policy during his presidency, marked by unprecedented moves such as recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and brokering the Abraham Accords, earned him widespread support from pro-Israel advocates, as was pointed out in the TOI report.  His latest statements indicate that, if elected again, he would pursue an even more aggressive policy toward entities he views as a threat to Israel and the US.

On the domestic front, Trump’s proposed deportation policy regarding Hamas supporters raises legal and constitutional issues. Balancing national security interests with First Amendment rights would be a contentious aspect of such a policy, as many critics would argue that it could set a dangerous precedent for limiting free expression. However, for Trump’s supporters, the proposal is seen as a necessary step to protect American and Israeli security interests.

Trump’s speech solidified his image as a staunch defender of Israel and as a candidate willing to take bold action against clear cut enemies of the state. His proposals will likely remain central to his campaign narrative, as he seeks to regain the White House and reestablish his foreign policy legacy.