Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's approval rates have dropped sharply in recent weeks, according to a survey by Dialog that was released Wednesday on Channel 10 News. Only 34% of respondents said they are satisfied with his performance.
Netanyahu's popularity had risen over the course of October and November, hitting 45% in early December, during the fire in the Carmel. However, it began dropping shortly afterward, hitting 38% by the end of December.
The Dialog poll also asked respondents about the initiative, sponsored by the Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) party, to investigate the source of funding for organizations on the extreme political left. Forty-five percent expressed support for the proposal, while 30% were against it.
Netanyahu made his paycheck public on his Facebook page this week, revealing that he earns just NIS 15,027 a month after taxes. While the salary is above the Israeli average (roughly NIS 8,100 per month), it is one of the lowest in the world for a national leader.
The prime minister's political opponents accused him of making his salary public knowledge in an attempt to boot his popularity.