Hours before addressing a major Jewish lobbying group, GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump said Israel should repay the aid money it has received from the United States.
Trump was asked at a press conference Monday about his call at rallies for countries such as Japan, South Korea and Germany to repay aid money,
Haaretz reports.
"I want them to pay us some money," Trump replied.
When asked if that applied to Israel, Trump said, "I think Israel would do that also. There are many countries that can pay, and they can pay big-league."
The press conference was held at the Old Post Office, which Trump is converting into a hotel.
The Dallas Morning News reported that Trump backtracked on the Israel statement during a tour of the building, saying of Israel, "They help us greatly."
Later Monday afternoon, Trump addressed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and expressed support for Israel, touting a move of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.