The Global Jewish Agenda reports on a survey published this week by the Mutagim Institute indicating that the immigrant oriented political parties in Israel have, for the first time, lost their preeminence among voters from the FSU. The leading political party among Russian immigrants is now the Likud, with the support of 30% of this population segment (equal to 8-10 Knesset seats), as compared to 18% support two years ago. Immigrant parties Yisrael B’Aliyah and Yisrael Beitenu follow with 14-15% support each (4-5 Knesset seats per party). Meanwhile, Russian immigrant support for the Labor party dropped to a mere 4% - a reduction of two-thirds from its peak of support for Ehud Barak in 1999.
In the personal popularity arena, PM Ariel Sharon currently enjoys greater support than Binyamin Netanyahu had in his prime, with two-thirds of all Russian immigrants supporting him and his policies; he is followed by Avigdor Lieberman, with Binyamin Netanyahu running third and Natan Sharansky fourth with 18% support. The only figure from the Left to make the list was Shimon Peres, with only 4% support. “There is no leader on the Left at present who can garner any support on the Russian street” said Dr. Michael Feldman, who conducted the survey for Mutagim.
In the personal popularity arena, PM Ariel Sharon currently enjoys greater support than Binyamin Netanyahu had in his prime, with two-thirds of all Russian immigrants supporting him and his policies; he is followed by Avigdor Lieberman, with Binyamin Netanyahu running third and Natan Sharansky fourth with 18% support. The only figure from the Left to make the list was Shimon Peres, with only 4% support. “There is no leader on the Left at present who can garner any support on the Russian street” said Dr. Michael Feldman, who conducted the survey for Mutagim.