39% blame Netanyahu for lack of unity government, only 19% Gantz - poll

Asked who should be first if a rotation agreement is reached, however, 45% of respondents chose Netanyahu and 42% Gantz, according to the poll by Channel 12.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Reuven Rivlin, Benny Gantz and Benjamin Netanyahu meet on September 23, 2019. (photo credit: GPO)
Reuven Rivlin, Benny Gantz and Benjamin Netanyahu meet on September 23, 2019.
(photo credit: GPO)
About 39% of Israelis think that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to be blamed for the fact that a unity government has not been established, and only 19% think that Blue and White leader Benny Gantz is to blame, a new poll released by Channel 12 on Wednesday morning revealed.
 
Asked who should be first if rotation agreement is reached, however, 45% of respondents favored Netanyahu against 42% for Gantz.
 
The poll also captured the mood of the Israeli public regarding the idea of reintroducing the direct election of the prime minister to solve the current political impasse.
 
If such a proposal was passed, 46% said that they would vote for the head of Likud and 43% for the leader of Blue and White.
 
Israel had direct elections for prime minister in 1996, 1999 and 2001, but went back to its previous system, with elections only for the Knesset, because of difficulties in forming and maintaining coalitions in the new system.
A previous poll conducted by Channel 12 on Tuesday found that Netanyahu would receive 40% of the vote and Gantz 36%.