‘Post’ poll: Israelis think Trump would be better than Clinton at fighting terrorism

Thirty-eight percent of respondents said Trump would be a better president to lead the fight against terrorism, as opposed to 21% who chose Clinton.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Donald Trump holds a bottle of the vodka named after him (photo credit: Courtesy)
Donald Trump holds a bottle of the vodka named after him
(photo credit: Courtesy)
More Israelis believe Donald Trump would be better than Hillary Clinton at fighting terrorism, but even more believe the former secretary of state is more qualified than the real estate mogul to serve as president, according to a poll for The Jerusalem Post.
Thirty-eight percent of respondents said Trump would be a better president to lead the fight against terrorism, as opposed to 21% who chose Clinton. In addition, 36% said Trump was more likely to improve relations between the Israeli and US governments, slightly more than the 34% who chose Clinton.
That said, 40% responded that Clinton is more suited to be president, as opposed to 29% who chose Trump.
Eight percent of respondents answered “neither;” only 3% chose Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), who is competing for the nomination of the Democratic Party; and 7% said they favor Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who has suspended his campaign.
Among haredim, 46% said they favored Trump over Clinton, as did 40% of self-identified rightwing voters, and a higher than average proportion of young voters (ages 18-29), 39%. Fifty four percent of respondents who identified as secular said they favor Clinton, as did 68% of left-wing respondents.
More than three-quarters, 77%, said they believe the policies of US President Barack Obama have contributed to the increase in terrorist attacks, including 44% who responded that they contributed “greatly.” Only 12% said his policies have not contributed to a rise in attacks.
The online survey, which was carried out May 2-3 by the Panels Politics research institute, polled 513 Israelis over the age of 18. It was undertaken to coincide with the annual Jerusalem Post Conference, which is being held on Sunday in New York.
“[The results] show that Jerusalem Post readers are sensitive and tuned in to subjects relating to the unique alliance between Israel and the United State,” said Jerusalem Post editor-in-chief Yaakov Katz. “While Trump is seen as someone who would do a better job in the war on terror, Clinton is seen as the presumptive next president of the United States, and the right person for the job.
Who will be elected? The Jerusalem Post group will be there to tell the story.”