Netanyahu strengthens despite Iran deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's failure to prevent the Iranian nuclear agreement may have weakened his standing at the White House, but it has actually boosted his standing among the Israeli electorate. Likud-Beitenu has risen to its highest level since the January elections - 37 Knesset seats, were elections held today, according to the "Globes"-Smith Institute poll for November. The Likud-Beitenu gained three seats compared with the previous poll in late October, and six seats compared with its showing in the elections.

When Israel faces a security or sensitive diplomatic crisis, the public rallies around Netanyahu, who is perceived as authoritative, and the only man who can deal with Iran, regardless of whether the public agrees with him or not. The public will also stand by the prime minister against rivals.

In the opposition, MK Isaac Herzog's election as Labor Party chairman instead of MK Shelly Yachimovich has boosted the party to 19 Knesset seats from 17 seats in the previous poll.

Labor's gain comes at the expense of Meretz, which fell to nine Knesset seats in the current poll from eleven seats in the previous poll. Minister of Finance Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid continues its slide. Yesh Atid would win only 11 Knesset seats were elections held today, down from 12 seats in the previous poll, and 19 seats in the elections.

Habayit Hayehudi also lost one seat from the October poll, to 12 Knesset seats in the November poll. Shas is down two seats from the October poll to 10 seats, and United Torah Judaism is up one seat to eight seats.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 28, 2013

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