Polls show Israelis object to Netanyahu plea deal, believe ex-PM is playing a trick

Many more Israelis object to a potential plea deal between opposition chief Benjamin Netanyahu and prosecutors in his corruption trial, than those who support it, according to two separate polls.

A survey by Channel 12 news finds 51 percent oppose such a plea bargain and only 31% support it, while a Channel 13 poll finds 46% object and 29% support it.

According to Channel 13, the objection is stronger among supporters of the current coalition: 54% oppose a deal while 25% support. Among opposition backers, 36% support and 35% object. Among voters of Netanyahu’s Likud party, 41% oppose a deal and 32% support it.

The same poll found that 49% support handing Netanyahu “moral turpitude” which would keep Netanyahu away from the political arena for 7 years. 40% oppose that.

However, the Channel 13 survey found that only 30% of respondents believe Netanyahu is serious about his intention to reach a plea deal, while 40% think the former prime minister is playing a trick on prosecutors.

Both polls found that if Netanyahu is forced to relinquish power in the Likud party, the overwhelmingly preferred successor (out of the options given) is MK Nir Barkat. Channel 12 says Likud would almost preserve its current support with Barkat at the helm, getting 29 Knesset seats for the party, while Netanyahu would get 33. Likud currently has 30 seats.