Poll: Over 50% Israelis unhappy with Netanyahu

Zeenews

May 15, 2009

Over half of Israeli citizens believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
has not done well in the first six weeks of office and more than 50 per cent are against his opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state.

Over a month after Netanyahu took up Premier's office, more than half of Israeli citizens believe that his performance is worse or at least no better than his predecessor Ehud Olmert, one of the least popular leaders in Israel's history, a survey has found.

A poll commissioned by daily 'Ha'aretz' also found that 57 per cent of the respondents think that Netanyahu should commit to a two-state solution when he meets US President Barack Obama next week at the White House.

The poll reveals that 28 per cent of the respondents think Netanyahu's performance is worse than that of Olmert, whose approval rating was in single digits during most of his tenure.

Some 27 per cent of respondents said that Netanyahu's performance was the same as Olmert's while 31 per cent said he was a better premier.

The Israeli Prime Minister, who is opposed to the creation of an independent Palestinians state, seems to be failing in reading the popular public perception on the peace process, majority of which supports a two state solution.

The poll found that 57 per cent of the respondents think that Netanyahu should commit to a two-state solution during his upcoming meeting with Obama.

Only 35 per cent feel that Netanyahu should not give his consent, while 8 per cent of the respondents were undecided.

Even 40 per cent of the participants in the poll, who identified themselves as ruling Likud party voters, said that Israeli Prime Minister should agree to a two-state solution.

Ultra-nationalist Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman received a 31 per cent approval rating in the survey, compared to 45 per cent who said they were not pleased with his performance.

Surprisingly, Defence Minister Ehud Barak, who has come under attack from his party members who oppose supporting a right wing coalition, fared better clinching a 60 per cent approval rating with only 27 per cent respondents expressing their displeasure.

The survey, which has a 4.5 per cent margin of error, was overseen by Professor Camil Fuchs of Tel Aviv University.