New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie apologized to Sheldon Adelson on Saturday after he referred to the West Bank as “occupied territories” during a speech at an Republican Jewish Coalition event.
He apologized to Mr. Adelson in a private meeting, telling the mega-donor that he doesn’t believe the West Bank is occupied by Israel, according to Andy Abboud, senior vice president of Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands Corp, CNN reported.
Mr. Adelson reportedly accepted.
“They had a nice meeting,” Mr. Abboud told CNN.
During his speech, Mr. Christie talked about a trip to Israel he had taken in 2012: “I took a helicopter ride from the occupied territories across, and just felt personally how extraordinary that was, to understand the military risk that Israel faces every day,” he said.
The term “occupied territories” is rejected by Zionist supporters of Israel, including Mr. Adelson, because they believe Israel has a legitimate claim to the land. Palestinians and the U.N. consider the West Bank to be Palestinian, but under military occupation by Israel, CNN reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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