Jeremy's Knesset Insider

A Panels Polling Company internet based poll broadcast by Knesset Channel 99 on February 22, 2012, shows Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud remains at the top with 30 seats, but the nationalist block he represents drops to 64 seats. Foreign Minister Liberman’s Yisrael Beitenu comes in with 14 seats.  Labor receives 16 seats in the poll and becomes the leader of the center-left block, with Kadima’s 13 and Lapid’s 11 within striking distance. Meretz’s seven seat finish is most likely a bump thanks to their recent leadership primary. National Union’s six seats compared to Jewish Home’s three seats will help their bargaining strength during the merger negotiations. Shas drops to six seats, UTJ drops to five, and Hadash and Ra’am-Ta’al drop to three each. Balad maintains their three seats while Independence doesn’t pass the threshold.

If elections were held today who would you vote for?
Current Knesset seats in [brackets]

30 [27] Likud
16 [08] Labor
14 [15] Yisrael Beitenu
13 [28] Kadima
11 [—] Yair Lapid Party
07 [03] Meretz
06 [04] National Union
06 [11] Shas
05 [05] Yahadut Hatorah/UTJ
03 [03] Jewish Home
03 [03] Balad
03 [04] Hadash
03 [04] Ra’am-Ta’al
00 [05] Independence

Panels also asked voters of three different demographics which candidate they support in the Kadima leadership race next month.

Entire population: Livni 24% ― Mofaz 16% ― Dichter 15% ― None of them 32%

2009 Kadima voters: Livni 43% ― Dichter 15% ― Mofaz 12% ― None of them 25%

Plan to vote Kadima in 2012 or 2013: Livni 68% ― Mofaz 19% ― Dichter 13%