Middle East News

Support for Netanyahu and Likud growing, Israeli poll shows

Oct 23, 2009, 9:34 GMT

Tel Aviv - Support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ruling Likud party has grown since he took office over six months ago, according to an opinion poll published Friday.

If elections were held today, the Likud would get six more mandates to become the largest party in the Israeli parliament, said the survey by the Dahaf polling institute, commissioned by Israel's biggest-selling daily, Yediot Ahronot.

The hardline but mainstream party, which in February elections won 27 of the 120 seats in the Knesset, would get 33 if a new ballot were held today, it indicated.

The centrist Kadima party of former foreign minister Tzipi Livni, now in the opposition, would stay the same with 28 Knesset seats.

Livni's Kadima technically beat Likud in the last elections, by a margin of just one mandate. But she stood no chance of forming a government, as the bloc of right-wing parties headed by Netanyahu's Likud had become a combined majority in the House.

Netanyahu rejected Livni's call for power-sharing, and on March 31 formed a government with the 15-seat far-right Israel Beiteinu party of Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, the 13-seat left-to-centre Labour Party of Defence Minister Ehud Barak and a number of other right-wing and ultra-Orthodox parties.

According to Friday's poll, support for Barak's Labour Party has further nose-dived and it would get only seven mandates if elections were held today.

Netanyahu's personal popularity was high, with 41 per cent of those asked saying he was the most suited to be prime minister, compared to 31 per cent who chose Livni and 7 per cent who opted for Barak.

The Dahaf Institute questioned a sample of 500 adult Israelis this week and the poll had a margin of error of 4.5 per cent.



COMMENT

blog comments powered by Disqus

Latest Headlines in Middle East

Older Talkback

Follow Us

Follow M&C on Pinterest

Search

Custom Search

Also Check Out

Kelly Clarkson: 'I am not Beyonce'

Kelly Clarkson: I am not Beyonce
Original 'American Idol' winner refuses to wear uncomfortable high heels. ... more

Cynthia Nixon marries Christine Marinoni

Cynthia Nixon marries Christine Marinoni
'Sex and the City' actress tied the knot three years after getting engaged. ... more

Cheryl Cole: 'I couldn't be like Rihanna'

Cheryl Cole: I couldnt be like Rihanna
'Call My Name' singer thinks the 'What Have You Been?' star is too blunt. ... more

Elvis Presley's tomb for sale

Elvis Presleys tomb for sale
The chance to be buried in the same tomb where Elvis Presley was originally placed after his death is up for auction. ... more

Bar Refaeli wants to 'marry' Justin Bieber

Bar Refaeli wants to marry Justin Bieber
Bar Refaeli wants to 'marry' Justin Bieber, and also admits having a crush on Tom Cruise. ... more

Chris Brown selling house

Chris Brown selling house
Chris Brown is selling his West Hollywood bachelor pad for £1.8 million, just 15 months after he bought it, following a number of disputes with his neighbours. ... more

Rihanna wants to swap breasts

Rihanna wants to swap breasts
Rihanna wants to 'borrow' her 'Battleship' co-star Brooklyn Decker's boobs. ... more

Justin Bieber loved up with Selena

Justin Bieber loved up with Selena
Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez looked 'more in love than ever' on a recent lunch date. ... more

Simon Cowell blasts The Voice

Simon Cowell blasts The Voice
Simon Cowell has taken a swipe at 'The Voice' telling an unsuccessful 'X Factor' contestant to try auditioning for that show instead. ... more

Delta Goodrem opens up about Brian split

Delta Goodrem opens up about Brian split
Delta Goodrem said she 'didn't know how to get out' of her six and a half year relationship with Brian McFadden. ... more