Polls Steady As PM's Team Seeks Trial Delay Until After Election

Latest opinion polls out of Israel ahead of the 23 March general election show little movement in public support for parties amidst the ongoing trial of PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

• Midgam (seats): Likud: 28 (-1), Yesh Atid: 18 (+1), New Hope: 13 (-1), Yamina: 11 (=), Joint List : 9 (=), Shas: 8 (=), Yisrfael Beiteinu: 7 (=), United Torah Judaism: 7 (=). Labor: 6 (=), Religious Zionist: 5 (+1), Meretz: 4 (=), B&W: 4 (=). Fieldwork 10 Feb. Chgs w/ 5 Feb. 500 respondents.
• Midgam (preferred PM): preferred Prime Minister poll : Netanyahu (Likud-inc): 30% (+2), Lapid (Yesh Atid): 23% (+11), Sa'ar (New Hope): 12% (-2), Bennett (Yamina): 10% (-2). Fieldwork 10 Feb. Chgs w/ 5 Feb. 500 respondents.
• PM Netanyahu's legal team is attempting to convince judges in his graft trial that the presentation of evidence should be postponed until after the election, stating that if witnesses are called before the vote it would constitute election interference.
• There may be little reason for the PM's team to worry even if the trial does go ahead. The polarised nature of Israeli politics means that most voters have likely made their minds up already on whether Netanyahu is guilty or not (Netanyahu himself has pleaded not guilty). The larger influence on voters is set to be the gov'ts response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While Israel has vaccinated a higher proportion of its population than any other country on earth, it is still recording some of the highest levels of new infections per capita.