Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Donald Trump comments on Muslims, saying Israel 'respects all religions'

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Donald Trump's call to ban all Muslims from travelling to the US. In a statement released on Wednesday 9 December, the right-wing leader said that the state of Israel "respects all religions and strictly guarantees the rights of all its citizens.

"At the same time, Israel is fighting radical Islam, which is attacking Muslims, Christians and Jews alike and threatens the entire world.

Netanyahu's statement comes after Israeli politicians from all sides of the political spectrum called for a planned visit by the Republican frontrunner to be blocked.

At least 37 Israeli legislators signed a letter to Netanyahu calling on him to cancel the meeting, which will take place on 28 December. Trump said on Twitter he was "very much looking forward" to visiting Israel.

Sources close to the PM said "he does not agree with everything said by every [US election] candidate".

Netanyahu's spokesman Ofir Gendelman said on Twitter that the Likud leader "meets with all presidential candidates who come to Israel" and that does not represent an endorsement of their policies.

The twitter handle of the PM of Israel confirmed that Netanyahu decided earlier this year on a "uniform policy to agree to meet with all presidential candidates from either party who visit Israel and ask for a meeting".

Meanwhile, more than 200,000 people have signed a petition in a bid to get the reality TV star banned from the UK.

"The UK has banned entry to many individuals for hate speech. The same principles should apply to everyone who wishes to enter the UK," said Suzanne Kelly, the petition's author.

"If the UK is to continue applying the 'unacceptable behaviour' criteria to those who wish to enter its borders, it must be fairly applied to the rich as well as poor, and the weak as well as powerful."

The parliamentarians will have to debate the petition as it has surpassed the 100,000 signature mark. UK Prime Minister David Cameron has also criticised Trump, who owns hotels and golf course in Scotland, over his comments.