Dramatic Leap in Orthodox Jewish Vote for Obama, Accompanied by Radio Campaign, Makes Strong Statement in Election

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During the election season, the religious Jewish group known as True Torah Jews sponsored a series of radio ads expressing their disapproval of pro-Israel groups attempting to "influence the outcome of the election." The reference was to an ad that aired in swing states featuring clips of a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, intended to persuade Jews to vote for Romney. Another more explicitly anti-Obama ad featured a "debate" between the President and Netanyahu, using actual clips of their speeches taken out of context.

"We view these ads as an insult to our status as Americans Jews," said Yirmiyahu Cohen, a spokesman for True Torah Jews. "The Torah obligates Jews to be loyal citizens of their country, and to pray for its success and safety. Now a leader of another country comes and interferes in the election of our country. We felt we had no choice but to speak up and correct the impression this made.

The True Torah Jews radio ad stated the following:

"As the United States presidential campaign reaches its climax, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has voiced historically-unprecedented statements in an effort to influence the outcome of the United States elections. Moreover, these statements are being propagandized to American citizens as political ads, especially in critical swing states.