Netanyahu strengthens despite Iran deal
Likud-Beitenu, and Labor under Isaac Herzog, both gain in the latest
"Globes"-Smith Institute poll.
28 November 13 19:55, Lilach Weissman
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com -
on November 28, 2013
http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000897779

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.