How Netanyahu is capitalizing on MBZ meeting, FlyDubai attack to gain in election polls
The past week was an especially good one for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as security once again took center stage in the election campaign.
JERUSALEM — With four weeks to go before Israel's Oct. 27 elections, security is once again emerging as a central campaign issue in a shift that Israeli political sources say could benefit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
After the campaign had focused on ultra-Orthodox military service and funding for ultra-Orthodox institutions, the current security threats help explain the narrowing gap between the political blocs, the sources told Al-Monitor.
A Maariv poll published Oct. 2 showed Netanyahu's coalition gaining two seats this week, bringing its total to 51, while the Zionist opposition bloc lost two seats, bringing its total to 53. The Arab parties counted 12 Knesset seats. Netanyahu's Likud stands at 19 seats, compared with 18 the previous week, while Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar stands at 21, compared with 22 in the previous poll. Now, the Sept. 30 alleged hijacking attempt of a FlyDubai passenger plane could translate into additional support for Netanyahu.
Security takes center stage
