A survey on American-Israeli relations has concluded that Israelis consider Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney to be more ‘friendly’ towards Israel than incumbent Barack Obama, EJP reports.

The poll, commissioned by Bar-Ilan University and the Anti-Defamation League, shows that only 45% of Israeli respondents think Obama is ‘friendly’ towards Israel, and 29% thought Romney would be better for Israel’s interests, compared to 22% who thought the same about Obama.

Surprisingly, after almost four years in office, a full 49% of Israelis polled did not know or would not answer questions regarding Obama’s Israel agenda.

The poll was released ahead of a conference on American-Israeli relations at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar-Ilan University on Sunday and Monday.

A survey published earlier this year by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), 45% of U.S. Jewish voters would choose Romney on the issue of US-Israel relations, compared to 42% for Obama, with 22% of Jews saying it was the most important issue in deciding which candidate to choose.

EJP reported that Israeli officials are saying Romney’s team are preparing for an early campaign visit to Israel at the end of June. Romney’s campaign staff has so far denied this. Jonny Daniels, senior advisor to Knesset Deputy speaker Danny Danon, told EJP the trip is “definitely being planned.”

Obama visited Israel briefly during his 2008 campaign, but skipped it on his tour of the Middle east as president. (© 2012 JewishPress. 06/19/12)