The Trump International Hotel in Chicago (The Judean)

Trump Org Eyes Two Hotels In Israel Despite War & Upcoming Election

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The Judean Staff
National

The Trump Organization is preparing to reignite high-profile negotiations for luxury hotel properties in Israel, even as the former President campaigns for a return to the White House. This development, reported by the New York Times last week and verified by The Judean on Sunday, underscores the Trump family’s continued interest in expanding their business footprint in the Jewish state, particularly in the cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

An Israeli Empire in the Making?

Eric Trump, son of the former president and current head of the family business, is spearheading efforts to establish a lasting presence in Israel's booming hotel industry. His targets include two prime properties: the prestigious Haleom Hotel in Jerusalem, and the chic Sarona Hotel in Tel Aviv. According to sources, these negotiations were well underway even as Donald Trump ramped up his bid for the Republican nomination in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

This push into Israel’s lucrative tourism market would be a significant move for the Trump Organization. Two Florida-based businessmen with previous political ties to Trump were reportedly involved in brokering a deal to lease the Israeli properties, which are owned by the Nitsba Group. The hotels would license the Trump brand name and be managed by the organization, positioning the family’s global portfolio to capitalize on Israel’s vibrant tourism industry. Eric Trump himself was even rumored to have explored the iconic Princess Hotel in Eilat, although that particular venture was ultimately set aside.

The Impact of War on Business: Trivial or Thoughtful?

These negotiations were abruptly paused in the aftermath of Hamas's brutal October 7 terrorist attack on Israel, which plunged the country into war and heightened regional instability. “The deal absolutely would have gotten done if not for Oct. 7,” Eric Trump emphasized, recognizing that moving forward with such deals during a national crisis would have been seen as “tone-deaf and trivial.” Yet, he made it clear that the Trump Organization is determined to move ahead once hostilities cease, stating the company would “definitely” close the deal once the war ends.

However, behind the scenes, the New York Times reports that the talks had actually stalled weeks before Hamas's horrific massacre. According to insiders, the real cause of the delay wasn’t the outbreak of war, but rather concerns about the potential ethical ramifications of Donald Trump running for president while his family continues to negotiate international business deals. Lockwood, the real estate firm representing the Florida businessmen involved, confirmed to the Times that the talks had been shelved due to a "conflict of interest” arising from Trump’s renewed political ambitions.

Ethical Quagmire: Can Business and Politics Coexist?

As the Trump Organization plots its return to the international real estate scene, questions linger over how the family will navigate the ethical minefield associated with a second Trump presidency. During his first term in office, Donald Trump paused new international business ventures and implemented measures to manage potential conflicts of interest, including hiring an ethics advisor and making yearly payments to the U.S. Treasury for profits earned from foreign officials staying at Trump hotels.

Yet critics claimed these actions fell far short of the legal and ethical boundaries outlined in the U.S. Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which forbids public officials from accepting gifts or benefits from foreign governments. These concerns are poised to resurface in the current political climate, especially as the Trump Organization continues to pursue deals not just in Israel, but also in other global hotspots like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.

Eric Trump, however, remains defiant. "We can't just sit out in perpetuity, and I won’t," he told reporters, lamenting the intense scrutiny his family faced during the first Trump presidency. “The first time we did everything imaginable to avoid any appearance of impropriety, and frankly, we got crushed anyway.”

What’s Next?

As the 2024 U.S. presidential election looms closer and the war in Israel continues to rage, it remains to be seen how this intricate dance of politics, business, and international diplomacy will play out. The Trump Organization, once again in the global spotlight, appears committed to balancing its business ventures with the political ambitions of its patriarch.

One thing is certain: Should Donald Trump win the White House, the world will be watching closely to see how the former president handles the intertwining of his family’s financial interests and the duties of the most powerful office on Earth.

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