An internet-based poll conducted for the Knesset Channel and reported by News1 shows the Likud gaining six less Knesset seats in the upcoming elections if Moshe Feiglin is included in a meaningful position in its list.
According to the poll, Likud without Feiglin will receive 36 seats but Likud with Feiglin will only receive 30 MKs. Most of the six seats lost will go to current ruling party Kadima.
The true Likud spirit?
Feiglin is a religious nationalist who is perceived by Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu and his supporters as too extremist for the party. Feiglin says that he represents the true, original spirit of Likud and its predecessor, Herut, and claims that Netanyahu has sold out the party's original values.
The latest poll asked two separate questions regarding Feiglin. One asked – "How will you vote for the Knesset if Moshe Feiglin is included in the Likud Knesset list?" and the other asked the same question but assumed that "Moshe Feiglin is not included in the Likud's Knesset list."
An earlier poll cited by News1 found that 40 percent of respondents said Feiglin would hurt Likud and 19 percent said he would help it. That poll was held November 13.
Feiglin: poll irrelevant
Moshe Feiglin said in response that the poll is an irrelevant one because it was taken among the general public and not among Likud voters, but added that "if Netanyahu continues the delusional campaign to delegitimize Feiglin, the Likud could indeed lose Knesset seats."
A separate question in the latest poll asked 1,101 respondents which party they would vote for if elections were held today, without mentioning Feiglin one way or another. The results showed that Likud would garner 35 Knesset seats, Kadima 26, Yisrael Beiteinu 9, Shas 10, the Jewish Home 6, UTJ 6, Arab parties 10, Meretz 8, Labor 7, the Greens 3.
Jewish Leadership
Moshe Feiglin heads the Jewish Leadership faction within Likud and believes that Israel needs a religious-nationalist leader. Unlike other prominent national-religious politicians, he does not believe in running for Knesset against the Likud but in joining the Likud and taking it over from within, by registering thosands of his supporters as Likud members.
Feiglin's supporters claim that their activity is crucial in keeping Likud on the right track and preventing Netanyahu from turning leftwards politically.