Ben Carson cancels Israel trip, citing ‘security concerns’

Republican candidate, criticized for lack of foreign policy experience, also calls off visits to Kenya, Zambia and Nigeria

Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson cancelled a trip to Israel, citing “security concerns.”

Carson had been scheduled to travel to Israel on Dec. 27 and meet with Israeli government officials, before traveling to Kenya, Zambia and Nigeria, according to the Washington Post.

The candidate was scheduled to return to the US on January 2, 2016.

“The trip has been cancelled due to significant security concerns,” campaign spokesman Doug Watts said in a statement Thursday. He did not say what the concerns were.

“They were of such a nature that we found it prudent not to put anyone at any kind of risk,” Watts also said.

Carson traveled to Jordan last month and visited two Syrian refugee camps.

Carson, a retired pediatric neurosurgeon, has been criticized for a lack of foreign policy experience.

Republican presidential candidate businessman Donald Trump (L) speaks with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz during a break in the Republican Presidential Debate, hosted by CNN, at The Venetian Las Vegas on December 15, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada (AFP PHOTO/Robyn Beck)

Last week, controversial Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump announced he was “postponing” an Israel trip, saying he would meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he is “elected US president.”

The GOP front-runner, who has drawn scads of criticism for a proposal to ban Muslims from entering the US, had been scheduled to meet with Netanyahu on December 28.

Trump said he was axing the visit for “lots of different reasons,” including a desire to take pressure off Netanyahu. The prime minister had said he rejected Trump’s “ban Muslims” call, but was still prepared to meet with the candidate.