According to the Polls, Israeli Public Likes Lapid's Silence

IMRA has posted two polls, not exactly identical but showing a similar trend.  The Israeli public is disgusted with the Likud, though it still wants Binyamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister, and it would vote in even larger numbers for Yair Lapid.

• Knesset Chanel Poll:
  Panels Poll: Yesh Atid 30 Likud-Beiteinu 22 Habayit Hayehudi 15 Labor 13 Shas 9
• Maagar Poll (Maariv/Makor Rishon): Likud Beiteinu 28 Yesh Atid 24 Bayit Yehudi 13 Shas 12 Labor 11

What's most interesting is that being part of the coalition, having made a deal with Bibi, is not a turn-on for the Israeli voter.  The poll shows Tsippi Livni losing support, most probably because the main item on her platform was that she would never make a deal with Netanyahu.

The Maagar Poll shows:

28 [31] Likud Beiteinu (Likud & Yisrael Beiteinu)
24 [19] Lapid "Yesh Atid" Party
13 [12] Bayit Yehudi
12 [11] Shas
11 [15] Labor
07 [07] Yahadut Hatorah
07 [06] Meretz
05 [06] Livni party "Hatnua" Party
01 [02] Kadima *
12 [11] Arab parties
* does receive the minimum 2%

And the Knesset Channel Poll information I found does not give the same sort of complete listing.

Considering that there is a big difference between the two polls' results, we just have to look for general trends and not details.

Yesterday on the TV news I heard one of the commentators mention that unlike NRP aka Bayit Yehudi's Naftali Bennett, Yesh Atid's Yair Lapid has been pretty quiet.  Apparently, the public prefers the quiet.  His MKs have also kept their mouths well zipped.  It certainly heps that the Yesh Atid MKs are all new to Knesset politics and are probably so busy concentrating on learning the ropes, that they may even be grateful for the order.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Bennett's NRP has kept its support, even though some of the poll votes may be former Otzma LeYisrael voters who weren't given any other option or are happy that Bennett is now talking opposition, at least some of the time.  It's getting harder and harder to know exactly what Bennett and his team want, because conflicting statements have been heard from them.  I must admit that I've never understood the attraction to the NRP that many of my peers exhibit (and vote.)

As I've written many times before, this coalition negotiation game is very much like Poker and chess, too.  Players must be silent and give absolutely no indications of their hands or plans/tactics.

Unfortunately for the State of Israel, Netanyahu has been under pressure to form a government quickly because of United States President Barack Hussein Obama's upcoming visit.  He doesn't not want to be caught with an empty pantry.  Maybe that's why Obama was so quick to announce a visit even before Bibi could negotiate a new coalition.

We shouldn't forget that we're about to celebrate Purim, the holiday which reminds us that G-d works behind the scenes.

Chag Purim Same'ach!

Have a Joyful Purim!