(Financial times)Netanyahu is losing some popularity, but remains the dominant force in the country’s politics, according to a new Haaretz opinion poll.
The survey found that Mr Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party would win even more parliamentary seats than it currently holds, and that its leader remains Israelis’ favourite choice as prime minister.
Analysts said the poll, published in the Haaretz newspaper, would come as welcome news to the prime minister. They argue that the slip in Mr Netanyahu’s personal standing is probably the result of short-term factors and all other indicators point to his continuing dominance over a weak and divided opposition.
The lower personal ratings appear to be primarily the result of a recent series of embarrassing stories about the prime minister’s wife in the Israeli press. Over the past weeks, the Israeli public has been regaled with a string of articles about Sara Netanyahu, including allegations that she mistreated the couple’s housekeeper and enjoys undue influence over her husband. The Netanyahus have strongly denied all claims and launched legal action against one Israeli newspaper.
“I believe this poll is basically good news [for Mr Netanyahu]. His party is going strong and the opposition is weaker,” said Camil Fuchs, the professor at Tel Aviv University who supervised the poll. “On the personal level there are issues, especially the mini-scandal about his wife, that gave a bad taste to people. But this is probably not something that will last for too long.”
When asked who is best suited to be prime minister, 35 per cent of Israelis said Mr Netanyahu, while 27 per cent backed Tzipi Livni, the opposition leader from the centrist Kadima party.
The survey appears to confirm that Mr Netanyahu’s overall standing has not been affected by two of his most controversial decisions since taking office: his declaration of support for a demilitarised Palestinian state and the partial and temporary freeze on new buildings in West Bank settlements.
These moves had cost the prime minister the support of some right-wing voters, said Prof Fuchs, but at the same time Mr Netanyahu had gained new backers in the political centre.
The prime minister may also have benefited from the improved security situation and the fact that Israel has been largely unaffected by the global economic crisis.
The survey found that Mr Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party would win even more parliamentary seats than it currently holds, and that its leader remains Israelis’ favourite choice as prime minister.
Analysts said the poll, published in the Haaretz newspaper, would come as welcome news to the prime minister. They argue that the slip in Mr Netanyahu’s personal standing is probably the result of short-term factors and all other indicators point to his continuing dominance over a weak and divided opposition.
The lower personal ratings appear to be primarily the result of a recent series of embarrassing stories about the prime minister’s wife in the Israeli press. Over the past weeks, the Israeli public has been regaled with a string of articles about Sara Netanyahu, including allegations that she mistreated the couple’s housekeeper and enjoys undue influence over her husband. The Netanyahus have strongly denied all claims and launched legal action against one Israeli newspaper.
“I believe this poll is basically good news [for Mr Netanyahu]. His party is going strong and the opposition is weaker,” said Camil Fuchs, the professor at Tel Aviv University who supervised the poll. “On the personal level there are issues, especially the mini-scandal about his wife, that gave a bad taste to people. But this is probably not something that will last for too long.”
When asked who is best suited to be prime minister, 35 per cent of Israelis said Mr Netanyahu, while 27 per cent backed Tzipi Livni, the opposition leader from the centrist Kadima party.
The survey appears to confirm that Mr Netanyahu’s overall standing has not been affected by two of his most controversial decisions since taking office: his declaration of support for a demilitarised Palestinian state and the partial and temporary freeze on new buildings in West Bank settlements.
These moves had cost the prime minister the support of some right-wing voters, said Prof Fuchs, but at the same time Mr Netanyahu had gained new backers in the political centre.
The prime minister may also have benefited from the improved security situation and the fact that Israel has been largely unaffected by the global economic crisis.
