Trump to Israel Hayom: I've always been Israel's friend

Following Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's press conference at his Mar-a-Lago Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday, I was confused about where to exit the building.

Fortunately, my parents always taught me to use the main door. As I went up the stairs, I heard a familiar voice. A tall, broad man was standing there with his back to me, talking, laughing, and being photographed. I recognized Trump's back and approached him. I had met him for the first time in November 2012 in Boston, and since then have interviewed him twice in Nevada.

"Hi, I'm the journalist from Israel who interviewed you," I said.

"Sure, Boaz," Trump replied. "How are you-"

"Good, sir," I said. "Nice to see you. This is a big day for you."

"This is a big day for America and Americans and it is also a big day for me, I must admit," Trump said. "No one gave me a chance, you remember. We talked about it. And now support for me is only growing."

"Is your success good news for Israel-" I asked.

"It's tremendous news for Israel," he said. "Your friend is leading in the primaries. I've always been your friend, even at the toughest moments. And that's not going to change. I love you."

"You mentioned Iran in your remarks and the bad nuclear deal," I said.

"There are some things I don't want to talk about, it would not be wise," Trump said. "But if we're talking about good news for Israel, then of course it is less good news for those who don't like Israel."

Several hours earlier, I had arrived at Mar-a-Lago Club in a cab driven by Boris, a Peruvian-born Israeli who moved to Florida. Boris told me that the Mar-a-Lago Club is one of the most impressive places not just in Florida, but also the entire United States. At the gate, a striking blonde attendant named Heather greeted me. "Welcome to the Mar-a-Lago," she said.

The Mar-a-Lago Club has become a center of attention during the Republican primaries. Trump bought the estate in 1985 and turned it into a 126-room paradise. And that is what Americans are hoping Trump will do with their bank accounts: take $15 or $150 and multiply it by who knows how many times.

I must admit I was excited to be among the 300 media members (most of them Americans) invited to the press conference. A Trump event is the best show in town. And to see Trump on his home turf in a luxurious setting (think gold bathroom fixtures and huge chandeliers) reminiscent of "One Thousand and One Nights" is an incomparable experience. I got to see up close the man who is the main focus of global media attention today.

Each new meeting with Trump is just as fascinating as the previous one. What journalist would not want a one-on-one interview with this man? And who would not want an invite to the lavish and exclusive Mar-a-Lago Club-

Heather escorted me to the events hall, where hundreds of chairs had been set out. The stage was lined with American flags and the podium had a "Trump" sign fixed on it. Carson Chambers, a blonde ABC news reporter, told me it would be very difficult to ask questions. I looked at Chambers and smiled. Along with her elegant red dress, she was wearing gym sneakers. She knew what she was doing: We had arrived at 6 p.m., and Trump was not going to speak until 9:45 p.m. We stood there for nearly four hours. Trump had been scheduled to speak at 9 p.m., but he waited politely until after Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican candidate John Kasich spoke. During the wait, Trump learned he had also won in North Carolina and Illinois, in addition to Florida.

Media members kept themselves busy taking pictures of the club. Suddenly a gregarious woman wearing a festive "Make America great again!" hat approached us. She quickly became a hit. Rosemary Harder was her name.

"I did this alone, because I love Trump," she told me. "This was my way to express what I feel about him. I hope this man will go to the White House. We not only support him, we love him."

An African-American man -- possibly a minister -- wearing a dapper suit asked that we pray and thank God for Trump's victories.

"We thank you for giving him the right words to win the support of millions of Americans," the prayer went. "Thank you, my God, for the victories you gave him today. And may he ultimately reach the White House and become the next president of the United States." The crowd replied, "Amen." A reminder: Trump is not a religious person, but most Americans are.

"Please welcome the next president of the United States, Donald Trump," the event host said.

"Never in American history has there been a candidate with such negative publicity," Trump said. "I won't say that 100% of the things they say about me are not true, but let's say 90% are. They [opponents] have only recently spent $40 million on negative ads against me. And what happened? My numbers only went up. Support for me only grew."

It is hard to argue with Trump. Since the cancellation of his rally in Chicago last week, what has not been said about him? He has been called a racist and a provocateur and his supporters have been accused of being violent. The answer of Trump and his supporters came at the ballot boxes -- Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump, in Florida, Illinois, North Carolina and Missouri.

By the way, Trump announced on Wednesday that he would not be taking part in the next scheduled Republican debate, which had been set to be aired by Fox News on March 21. Trump noted that he had committed to speak at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference that day and that when he makes a commitment, he stands by it. Fox News subsequently canceled the debate.

In his remarks at the Mar-a-Lago Club on Tuesday, Trump said: "Something is happening here that has turned the Republican Party into the biggest story in the world today. I see millions of people lining up to vote. The lines are long. This is something new. Those who are voting for us are Democrats, independents and people who haven't voted for us in the past."

Trump concluded his speech by taking a shot at the media and vowing to "win, win, win." The crowd went wild and Trump departed.

Chambers told me she had never seen something like this in her life.

"We never had elections like this," she said.

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