Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are the top choices for president among Russian-speaking American Jews, according to poll data obtained by Jewish Insider.
16.3 percent of Russian American Jews support Trump, and 12.7 percent support Clinton, according to a poll of more than 500 Russian-speaking Jews in the greater New York and Los Angeles areas conducted by Israeli research firm Midgam on behalf of Limmud FSU ahead of the organization’s upcoming conference in Parsippany N.J., April 1-3.
The survey was conducted between January and March 2016.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders received the support of 10.8 percent, while only 5.4 percent picked Texas Senator Ted Cruz as their choice for president. The rest of respondents chose former candidates Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio or hadn’t made up their minds yet.
Sanders topped Clinton (14.3% vs. 13%) among Russian Jews residing in New York. Trump was the choice of 22 percent, while Cruz, who is expected to attend an event in the Russian Brighton Beach neighborhood next month, received a mere 2.6 percent. Among voters in LA, Clinton leads the pack with 12.4 percent.
The poll also showed that 52 percent of Russian-speaking American Jews say they are more concerned about their personal security amid recent terror attacks in Europe and Israel. 19 percent said they were “much more concerned” about their personal safety, and 33 percent said they were “slightly more concerned.”
Respondents were also asked about the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement against Israel. 67 percent said they believe BDS poses “a strategic threat against the State of Israel and the Jewish people.”
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