A new poll conducted by the Ruderman Family Foundation, a Boston-based organization focused on strengthening the relations between Israel and the American Jewish community and dedicated to disability inclusion, found that only 6% of the Israeli public think Republican candidate Senator Ted Cruz is the most pro-Israel option.

The recent study polled 500 Jewish Israelis of all backgrounds and religious denominations. When asked who Israelis believed was the most ‘pro-Israel’ US presidential candidate, 33% responded with Trump, 31% for Hillary Clinton, while Bernie Sanders fared worse than Cruz with 5%.

The poll, conducted by Dialog, asked Israelis a number of questions surrounding the relationship between Israel and the American Jewish community, a relationship the Foundation works tirelessly to strengthen. As part of these efforts, the Foundation is currently hosting 6 Members of Knesset for a one-week mission to the US for a series of sessions and meetings with leaders, philanthropists, elected officials, students and the greater Jewish public to learn about a wide array of issues and concerns facing the American Jewish community and to strengthen the relationship between the two countries moving forward.

“Israelis have a heightened concern over the outcome of the US presidential election since they know that the United States is Israel’s most important ally in the world,” said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “Israelis also understand that the American Jewish community plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the United States remains a strong defender of the Jewish State.”

The poll revealed 53% of Israelis feel that Israeli Knesset members should take American Jews into consideration while drafting laws that might affect them in Israel; 86% of Israelis believe the Israeli Knesset should have close ties with American Jews; and 60% feel that Prime Minister Netanyahu should denounce remarks made by members of his cabinet that are viewed as offensive toward American Jews.

It has been well reported that the relationship between the State of Israel and the American Jewish community is in flux and faced with many challenges, highlighted by recent controversy surrounding the new egalitarian prayer section at the Kosel that the Israeli government initially passed and then delayed.

The Ruderman Knesset Mission consists of: MK Omer Bar-Lev (Machane Tzioni), MK Dr. Aliza Lavie (Yesh Atid), MK Dr. Yifat Shasha-Biton (Kulanu), MK Yoav Kisch (Likud), MK Dr. Avraham Neguise (Likud) and MK Michal Biran (Machane Tzioni).

Complete poll results below

1. U.S. Presidential elections: In your opinion, which candidate is the most pro-Israel?

A. 6% Ted Cruz

B. 33% Donald Trump

C. 1% John Kasich

D. 31% Hilary Clinton

E. 5% Bernie Sanders

F. 24% I don’t know

2. Often, Israeli Knesset members ask American Jews to “enlist” in support of the state of Israel on foreign policy and security issues, including combating growing boycotts of Israel, bolstering the Israeli home front, and U.S. military aid to Israel, among others. Do you agree or disagree that American Jews must actively stand alongside Israel on issues like these?

A. 84% Agree

B. 9% Disagree

C. 7% No opinion

3. Do you agree or disagree with the notion that Israeli Knesset members should take American Jews into consideration while drafting laws that might affect them in Israel?

A. 53% Agree

B. 32% Disagree

C. 15% No opinion

4. Recently, some Israeli Knesset members have made remarks viewed as very offensive to Reform Jews. Do you believe that the prime minister should denounce such remarks and act to prevent further offensive statements?

A. 60% Agree

B. 23% Disagree

C. 17% No opinion

5. Do you believe Israeli Knesset members should have close ties with American Jews?

A. 86% Yes

B. 14% No

6. If so, what is the primary reason those ties should exist?

A. Because Israel is the nation state of the entire Jewish people 57%

B. Because American Jews are natural partners in the continued growth of the state of Israel 10%

C. Because of the donations American Jews make to Israel 7%

D. Because American Jews act for Israel in the international arena 26%

7. Do you believe Israel-U.S. relations improved or deteriorated over the past two years?

A. 10% Improved

B. 40% Deteriorated

C. 30% They remain unchanged

D. 20% No opinion

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)