A Channel 2 poll suggests close to half of Israelis agree with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s accusation that the media is “leftist” and set against him, but over a quarter say his Wednesday speech lambasting the press made them trust him less.
In a Likud party rally to show support for the premier, who faces multiple graft probes focused on him or his associates, Netanyahu lashed out at the media and insisted the investigations were being exploited for a political “coup” against his government.
The poll finds that 48 percent of Israelis don’t believe the media is set against Netanyahu, but 42% do believe that. Over a quarter, 27%, say the speech weakened their trust in the premier, and just 11% said it strengthened their faith in him.
Perhaps the most disappointing finding of the poll from Netanyahu’s perspective is the huge majority of Israelis who support continuing with the investigations. Asked if investigations against serving prime ministers should be delayed during their term, fully 72% of Israelis said they should still take place, while just 15% said they should be delayed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with his wife Sara and Likud party members at a rally in his support, in Tel Aviv, on August 9, 2017. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
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Thursday, August 10, 2017
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