Netanyahu is Preferred PM for Israelis

[SeanAshi]

Many people in Israel would like the country to be led by former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a poll by Maagar Mochot. 35 per cent of respondents would pick the Likud leader for the top political job, while 31 per cent choose Labour leadership hopeful and former Israeli admiral Ami Ayalon.

In a separate contest, 36 per cent of respondents select Netanyahu, while 17 per cent express a preference for former prime minister and Labour member Ehud Barak.

In March 2006, Israeli voters renewed the Knesset. Kadima, founded by former prime minister Ariel Sharon and led by Ehud 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.

Netanyahu has openly called for Olmert’s resignation, after a preview of the so-called Winograd Report—which looked into Israel’s handling of last year’s conflict with Lebanon-based Hezbollah—found Olmert, 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.

Earlier this month, Netanyahu again called for changes, saying, "The state of Israel needs better leadership. Peace can never be achieved by unilateral steps. The time for a reassessment of our policy has come. We should look at the situation without any illusion and restore to the state of Israel its might, deterrent power and above all our self-respect."

The Labour party will hold a leadership primary tomorrow. The list of candidates includes Ayalon, Barak, Peretz, and current lawmakers Ophir Paz-Pines and Danny Yatom.

Polling Data

Which of these candidates would you prefer as prime minister—Benjamin Netanyahu or Ami Ayalon?

Benjamin Netanyahu
35%

Ami Ayalon
31%

Neither / Other
34%

Which of these candidates would you prefer as prime minister—Benjamin Netanyahu or Ehud Barak?

Benjamin Netanyahu
36%

Ehud Barak
17%

Neither / Other
47%


Source: Maagar Mochot
Methodology: Interviews with 508 Israeli adults, conducted in May 2007. Margin of error is 4.7 per cent.

[NuclearHead]

Interesting. This guy is a hardliner and will certainly make Hamas' life a living hell. Seems like this is what Israelis want.

[Viejo Golanchik]

Interesting. This guy is a hardliner and will certainly make Hamas' life a living hell. Seems like this is what Israelis want.

Hamas wants Netaniahu, he gaves them all the political ammo they need.

VG

[Moledet]

Well, there's a 4.7% margin of error and there is the "other" 34% (Liberman?) so I am not sure Nethanyahu will be elected.
Though, if Ayalon wins the second round of the Labour elections than this poll might encourage him to leave the government and that way force elections.

[NuclearHead]

Hamas wants Netaniahu, he gaves them all the political ammo they need.

VG

What political ammo? Is not like Israel's image could get any worse among the Palestinians and many of the Western Countries; don't think there's much more political ammo they can get.

[ase290406]

Most Israelis realise that Netanyiahu isn't an angel. From what I hear (As an ordinary citizen), he's just considered to be better than the others. Besides that he's more charismatic than any of the other candidates.

[dangerclose]

On the reversal of causality:

"The occupation of the west bank and gaza isn't the cause of arab aggresion but the result of it."

Benjamin Netanyahu - A Durable Peace


Israel could do a lot worse.

[Dakota435]

On the reversal of causality:

"The occupation of the west bank and gaza isn't the cause of arab aggresion but the result of it."

Benjamin Netanyahu - A Durable Peace


Israel could do a lot worse.

Nobody who knows what happened in June '67 could disagree with that.

[Moledet]

Looks like there's going to be a 2nd round in the Labor party, the Admiral (Ayalon) vs. the General (Barak) :)

[Viejo Golanchik]

What political ammo? Is not like Israel's image could get any worse among the Palestinians and many of the Western Countries; don't think there's much more political ammo they can get.

I think Hamas needs desperately some political legitimization, if you oppose them a hard nut like Bibi, it will be a matter of days until Hamas aquire new status even in the States.

I personally prefer Bibi, but his politics about the settlements, wich I think sooner o later have to be dismantled, at least those in the core of pali population, deterr me.

You are right, Israel image coudn't be worst.

VG

[Ordie]

My observations.


It's seems that people want to revert to the retired military brass for political leadership.
What are the economic polices of the potential canidates? I know Bibi was/is in business. This may be an impact due to the fast growing high tech sector and incresed investments from overseas.
Where was this poll taken? Regional differences in political attitude may skewe the survey results. For example Jerusalem is probably more conservative than Tel Aviv or Haifa.

[IDF-Godzilla]

Seriously guys, is there anyone that is worth being elected in this country?
Ayalon in the past months since the Vinograd report had been published is showing instability.
Barak is coming with a new agenda that "he had changed" and "learned from past mistakes", really?
He is the one that ran away from Lebanon and one of the responsible ones for the last conflict with Hezbollah.
Liberman had lost my vote, he is showing that he is no one lately.
Netanyahu is seen as a "last escape" for many Israelis, not that he is great just maybe better then the current ****ers in this government but i don't trust him from some reason.

[Jobu]

As an American who wants to see Israel strong and safe, I think Netanyahu is a good choice. It's no coincidence that the latest intifada started after he was out of power. I don't think he'd have let it get so bad.

[gilgoul]

Seriously guys, is there anyone that is worth being elected in this country?
Ayalon in the past months since the Vinograd report had been published is showing instability.
Barak is coming with a new agenda that "he had changed" and "learned from past mistakes", really?
He is the one that ran away from Lebanon and one of the responsible ones for the last conflict with Hezbollah.
Liberman had lost my vote, he is showing that he is no one lately.
Netanyahu is seen as a "last escape" for many Israelis, not that he is great just maybe better then the current ****ers in this government but i don't trust him from some reason.


Thinking that I once promised myself never ever consider bibi, because I didn't like the man, the politician and the economic platform.
I may vote for him at the next elections :oops:

Lieberman just wanted a volvo, if we knew, we could have put some money in the tip jar and let the midget have his fancy car without polluting our political system.

The only usefull reform the state could have done, the pension law, hasn't yet been presented to the knesset, :cantbeli:basically, we're screwed.

[Ordie]

As an American who wants to see Israel strong and safe, I think Netanyahu is a good choice. It's no coincidence that the latest intifada started after he was out of power. I don't think he'd have let it get so bad.

Israel has changed since Bibi was last in power. For starters, there's is no Arafat, Sharon nor Clinton to deal with. The paradigm in the region has shifted with Iran, Iraq, Al Qaida and an absent administration in DC. Moreover, Israelis attitudes have shifted towards life beyond survival and integrating themselves in the global economy. Moreover, the demographics of Israel has changed with non Jewish immigrants taking on jobs that upward moving Israeli's would not consider in doing anymore.

Israel would need to think more strategically in the periphery of the Middle East (Iran, Kurdistan, India, Turkey, the Med, and Africa). In order to do so, Israel needs to build a network of friends in the region, ironically enough Saudi Arabia. (Think Shia vs. Sunni....Persians vs. Arabs).

[Mu-Meson]

With the polls as they are, I can understand why Labor is staying in the coalition at the moment but why Israel Beitenu? Why would they not want Bibi as PM? If it is just to have a hand in the government cookie jar, well wouldn't they be needed by Likud to form a govt anyway? And another thing, seriously, how can such a great nation have such crappy leaders to choice from?

[Mu-Meson]

*choose
Me fail English, that's unpossible!