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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Netanyahu Leads Barak, Olmert in Israel
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in Israel would like the country's government to be headed by the leader of the Likud party, according to a poll by Dahaf Institute released by Yediot Ahronot. 34 per cent of respondents would like Benjamin Netanyahu to be the next prime minister.
Former prime minister and Labour leader Ehud Barak is second with 25 per cent, followed by current head of government Ehud Olmert of Kadima with five per cent.
In March 2006, Israeli voters renewed the Knesset. Kadima, founded by former prime minister Ariel Sharon and led by Olmert, secured 29 seats. Labour, the Retired People's Party (Gil) and the International Organization of Torah-observant Sephardic Jews (Shas) joined Kadima in a coalition. In October, the Israeli cabinet approved the addition of Israel Our Home to the government. Olmert's coalition now has the support of 78 of the Knesset's 120 members.
A preview of the so-called Winograd Report—which looked into Israel's handling of last year's conflict with Lebanon-based Hezbollah—was released on Apr. 30. The document, drafted by a special commission appointed by the prime minister to investigate Israel's military and political actions during the war, found Olmert, then defence minister Amir Peretz and then Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) chief of staff Dan Halutz responsible for "very serious failings" when making decisions throughout this period.
On Jun. 12, Barak defeated former Israeli admiral Ami Ayalon in the second round of the Labour party's primary election with 51.2 per cent of the vote. Israel does not have to hold a legislative election until March 2010. 50 per cent of respondents would support advancing the Knesset ballot.
On Jun. 17, Netanyahu expressed dissatisfaction with recent events in the Palestinian Territories—where Hamas has taken control of the Gaza Strip by force and Fatah established a new government in the West Bank—saying, "The reason there isn't already a 'Hamastan' in the West Bank is the fact that the Israeli Defence Forces are deployed there with all their strength."
Netanyahu served as prime minister from June 1996 to July 1999, and resigned from Sharon's cabinet—where he held the finance portfolio—after opposing the "Disengagement Plan." Barak headed the Israeli government from July 1999 to March 2001.
Polling Data
Who do you want to be the next prime minister?
Benjamin Netanyahu | 34% |
Ehud Barak | 25% |
Ehud Olmert | 5% |
Do you want elections for the Knesset to be advanced?
Yes | 50% |
No | 44% |
Source: Dahaf Institute / Yediot Ahronot
Methodology: Interviews with 503 Israeli adults, conducted on Jun. 14, 2007. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.