Ted Cruz Gets a Big Boost From Jewish Leaders

Last week, Dr. Ben Chouake, national president of NORPAC, the nation’s largest pro-Israel political action committee, endorsed U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) for president.

Over the weekend, the Texas senator received several more endorsements from Jewish leaders. His campaign said he now has the support of more than three dozen influential Jewish political advocates.

“Since the day we announced our campaign, we have been honored to see tremendous support from the Jewish community.” Cruz said. “I have been privileged to speak at synagogue services from New York to California to Florida, to celebrate Passover Seders with my friends in Texas, and to participate in events with Elie Wiesel and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. My commitment to the nation of Israel and the Jewish people began long before my days as a senator or presidential candidate; it began with the experience my father had as a refugee fleeing oppression in Cuba to come to this country. As president, I will stand unapologetically with Israel, prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and cut off federal funding to any institution that adopts B.D.S. measures.”

Last summer, Cruz brought together Jewish, evangelical and conservative groups in an attempt to stop the disastrous Iran nuclear deal. The leadership coalition announced today includes several heads of major pro-Israel organizations.

Sarah Stern, president of the Endowment for Middle East Truth, said, “I have worked with many congressional offices for many years, and there is no stronger advocate for Israel and the Jewish people than Ted. We have worked closely on bringing justice to victims of Iranian and Palestinian terror and stopping the Iranian nuclear deal. Speaking as an individual, I cannot wait to work with President Cruz and turn our country around.”

Rabbi Zev Reichman, spiritual leader of the East Hill Synagogue in Englewood, New Jersey, and director at Yeshiva University said, “Ted Cruz has impressed me with his deep respect for people of faith, his dedication to protecting the US homeland, and his unflinching support for America’s greatest ally in the Middle East, the nation of Israel.

“A few months ago I had the privilege of spending time with Ted. He displayed a deep regard for daily Talmud study and Jewish religious practice. His respect for the beliefs of others is inspiring. I feel confident that President Cruz will defend religious liberty and preserve our First Amendment rights.

“America and the West face an existential threat to our way of life from radical Islamic terrorists. Cruz has been a leader in identifying this threat and boldly taking action to protect American lives. Ted has demonstrated foresight, understanding and good judgment. Most importantly, he has demonstrated time and again that he is a leader with integrity, strength and courage. He has introduced legislation to prevent terrorists from coming to the U.S. and to choke off their funding. Most significantly, when the Iran deal was coming to Congress for a vote, he led the efforts to stop this catastrophic deal.

“On Oct. 6, 1943, hundreds of rabbis marched in Washington, pleading with elected officials to step in and address the dangers to Jews in Europe. President Roosevelt refused to meet with them. Their pleas for help fell on deaf ears. Millions of Jewish lives were lost.

“The Iranian regime threatens to do in six minutes what Hitler did in six years. They openly declare their hope to wipe Israel off the map. The Iranian nuclear deal has awarded this hideous regime billions of dollars, international legitimacy and hundreds of billions of dollars of future economic growth.

“On Sept. 9, 2015, hundreds of Rabbis returned to Washington to plead with elected officials to step in and reject the Iranian nuclear deal. Ted Cruz stood with us and led at that moment. President Cruz will tear up the Iran deal on his first day in office. The stakes for America, the West and Israel have rarely been higher. I hope and pray that the Almighty will help Ted Cruz become the next president of the United States and leader of the free world.”

The following are all part of the Cruz for President Jewish leadership coalition: