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Donald Trump cancels speech to Israeli Parliament because 'he did not want to be heckled'

Donald Trump did not address the Israeli parliament because the White House was concerned about heckling and interruptions: Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images
Donald Trump did not address the Israeli parliament because the White House was concerned about heckling and interruptions: Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images

One of Donald Trump’s speech in Israel was cancelled over concerns that he would be heckled by members of Israel’s parliament.

Mr Trump was scheduled to speak in front of the Knesset during his two-day trip earlier in the week, but Speaker Yuli Edelstein told Army Radio that the White House decided to forgo the opportunity.

They were concerned given the Knesset’s history of spirited debates full of jeers and interruptions.

Mr Edelstein said "the possibility was explored as a first option, and it was dropped from the agenda because it was clear that the president wouldn't be able to speak."

Mr Trump instead spoke at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

Previous presidents who have addressed the Knesset include Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.

Barack Obama spoke at a university instead of the parliament, however the decision was likely precipitated by the icy relationship he had with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In contrast, Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu seem to have a much more collegial rapport despite Mr Trump revealing classified information from Israel to Russian officials during their Oval Office meeting.

The prime minister rolled out the red carpet - literally - for Mr Trump and First Lady Melania, even travelling to the Tel Aviv airport with wife Sara to greet them for a grand welcome ceremony.

The friendliness does not seem to extend to members of the Knesset, who reportedly had to be ordered to attend the ceremony.

Many members were reluctant to travel to Tel Aviv for the ceremony, which the White House requested be shorter than what Mr Netanyahu had planned due to “warm weather.”

Mr Trump’s visit also included a visit to Jerusalem’s Western Wall, the first by a sitting US president, as well as a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem.

Throughout the 2016 campaign Mr Trump was unequivocal in his support of Israel, however his stance cooled after taking office.

He suggested that Israel should “hold back” on building settlements during Mr Netanyahu’s February visit to the White House.

Mr Trump also said he would consider moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the heart of disputed territory between Israel and Palestine.

It drew the ire of many foreign policy and security experts in Washington and the administration remained silent, at least publicly, on the issue during his visit.

The president has repeatedly said he thinks “a deal can be made” on peace between Israel and Palestine.

But, his commitment to that included assigning the task to son-in-law Jared Kushner, who has no discernable foreign policy experience.

Mr Kushner, a longtime family friend of Mr Netanyahu, is a controversial pick to lead the efforts given his personal background - his family has donated millions to charities and settlements in Israel, according to the New York Times.

He is also involved in the FBI investigation into alleged ties between Russia and the Trump campaign team.

Mr Trump is currently in Italy for the group of seven (G7) meeting and is scheduled to return to Washington at its conclusion.