Thursday, March 28, 2024 -
Print Edition

Israeli poll shows Likud-led coalition winning handily over Kadima-Labor alliance next year

JERUSALEM — The Rightist bloc led by the Likud will defeat the Left, led by Kadima and Labor, by eight Knesset seats in the national election on Feb.10, according to a Jerusalem Post/Smith Research poll.

The survey, taken last week of 501 respondents representing a statistical sample of the electorate, found that Likud, Shas, Israel Beiteinu, the National Union-National Religious Party and United Torah Judaism would combine for 64 seats, while Labor, Kadima, Meretz and the Arab parties would together win only 56.

If those numbers prove to be correct, Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu could form a right-wing government that would likely end negotiations with the PA and perhaps with Syria.

However, Netanyahu told the Knesset last week that he wanted to see Kadima and Labor in his government.

Still, pollster Rafi Smith noted that some 17% of respondents, representing a potential 20 mandates, were undecided. He said a significant portion of those respondents had voted for Kadima and Labor in 2006.

“Voters of parties on the Right are much more hardcore in their support for the parties that they voted for in past elections than Kadima, while voters who backed Kadima, Labor and Meretz in the last election are more fluid,” Smith said.

The poll found that a surprisingly large number of people who voted for Labor in 2006, some 14%, were planning to vote for the Likud this time.

Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik last week formally notified the Knesset House Committee that the election will be held on Feb.10.

Parties will be required to submit their Knesset candidate lists by the end of December.

State employees and soldiers who wish to run will have to quit their jobs this week. Televised election advertisements will begin on Jan.10 and the publishing of polls will be banned starting Feb. 6.




Leave a Reply