Jerusalem ( CNN ) -- It was a different Mitt Romney who arrived in Jerusalem at the weekend . The man who landed on the campaign flight from London was unusually circumspect , even for a candidate not noted for unbridled displays of exuberance and emotion . But if the Republican front-runner seemed wooden and tense as he stood beside his old friend and onetime professional colleague Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday , he had his reasons . The Israel whistle-stop of Romney 's current three-nation tour may prove the most crucial to his chances of defeating Barack Obama in November . Republican strategists hope that the policy and press-the-flesh pilgrimage to Jerusalem would help Romney sway the hearts and votes of traditionally Democratic Jews in battleground states . After a rocky showing in a visit to England , as well as a flap over the scheduling of a fund-raising dinner in the shadow of one of Judaism 's most solemn fast days , there was little margin here for error . More : 'Romneyshambles ' after London Olympics gaffe . The visit has also served to illustrate the observation that at some point , all those who spend time in Jerusalem find themselves suspended between the 21st century and the 1st . When his trip was still in the planning stage , events that occurred thousands of years ago had a direct effect on the former governor 's schedule , down to his plans for supper . `` Everything was already prepared , '' began Orly Azoulai , a Washington correspondent for Israel 's mass-circulation Yediot Ahronot newspaper , opening a featured magazine spread on the eve of the visit with an account of the fund-raising dinner originally set for Sunday evening . `` The guest list was glamorous and elite , the menu abundant , the tickets a minimum of $ 50,000 , all proceeds to go to the Romney campaign , '' she wrote . `` Only then were the organizers reminded of one small detail -- the dinner was scheduled for Sunday , the Ninth of the ( Jewish ) month of Av ( a fast day marking the anniversary of the destruction of the ancient Holy Temples of Jerusalem ) -- so that the wealthy Jewish donors would not be able to participate at all . '' Campaign staffers , stung by criticism that they had paid little heed to Jewish sensibilities , maintained that the dinner would , in any case , have taken place after the fast had ended . Taking no chances , however , they moved the meal to a Monday-morning breakfast just before Romney was to leave for a final travel stop in Poland , and took the unusual step of closing the fund-raiser to the press before ultimately reversing course and allowing some reporters to cover his remarks . More : Romney raises more than $ 1 million in Jerusalem . If , mindful of the British media frenzy sparked by Romney 's having called preparations for the Olympics `` disconcerting , '' Romney campaign officials sought to lower the profile of the Israel visit , their wish has been granted . Even in Israel Hayom , the mass circulation daily newspaper owned by U.S. billionaire and major Romney donor Sheldon Adelson , a guest at the Jerusalem fundraiser -- the candidate 's arrival in Israel was placed on the Sunday paper 's page nine . It appeared alongside a report on Barack Obama , one day before the Romney visit , announcing a $ 70 million allocation for Israeli rocket defense systems and signing a measure to bolster U.S.-Israel security ties . Nor has the visit stirred a public inured to all but the most apocalyptic of events . At week 's end , in the open market of Machaneh Yehuda , downtown Jerusalem 's fragrant , teeming buffet of produce and political ferment , neither Romney nor Obama seemed to generate much in the way of affinity or even interest . `` To tell you the truth , neither of them is to my taste , '' said shopper Avichai Edri , 48 , sifting through a bin for the perfect eggplant . By contrast to the current candidates , Edri said , presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush communicated genuine concern and warmth to Israelis . In the end , he said , `` It does n't really matter who wins in November . I believe that Americans , the American people , will come through for us whenever we are in trouble , and the president will , too . Whoever he is . '' More : Romney says Jerusalem is Israel 's capital . Even some of those who side with Romney politically are decidedly qualified in their endorsements . `` Among all the sectors of the ( American ) population which I 'm not fond of , I may be least fond of the Republicans , '' said Avri Gilad , a television and radio host , during his show on Israel Army Radio before Romney arrived . `` Regrettably , though , the Republicans , with all their fouled up personal dealings , view the ( world and regional ) situation more accurately than do the Democrats , who are much more personable , likable people . '' He would much rather choose Obama as a partner for dinner conversation or a trip to the Galapagos Islands , Gilad told his Israel Army Radio audience . But as a president , `` even Mitt Romney the Ridiculous , this cartoon of an American , is preferable to the Obama the Terrific . ''
Sheldon Adelson visited Poland as part of one country tour that also includes Israel and Poland . Romney fundraiser attended by American tycoon Sheldon Adelson . Sheldon Adelson : Neither Romney nor Obama seem to generate much enthusiasm .