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US election creates Orthodox poll split

November 10, 2016 11:55

ByAnonymous, Anonymous

1 min read

America's fractious strictly Orthodox community was also split over the presidential elections.

On Sunday, the large Satmar Chasidic sect published an endorsement of Hillary Clinton, despite the fact that many of its members preferred Donald Trump. The Democratic candidate gained the support of the Chasidim as recognition of her efforts on their community's behalf when she was secretary of state, and the pardoning of various Jewish prisoners by her husband, former president Bill Clinton.

On the evening before the Satmars' announcement, Mr Trump's Jewish daughter, Ivanka, visited the grave of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the late leader of the Chabad movement. She was accompanied by her husband, Jared Kushner, who is one of her father's closest election advisers.

Although Chabad does not officially endorse candidates, many of its rabbis are known to favour Mr Trump.