Popularity of Israel's right-wing rising: poll

If snap elections were held, the survey published in the mass-selling Yediot Aharonot newspaper on Friday found that the right-wing Likud party -- heavily defeated in a general election less than seven months ago -- would win 22 seats in parliament compared to the 12 it occupies today.

Based on answers from respondents when questioned about which party they would vote for if elections were held immediately, the far-right Yisrael Beitenu party would secure 20 seats from 11 now, the poll revealed.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's centrist Kadima party was left trailing in third place with 15 seats compared to 29 today with the centre-left Labour party also dipping down to 15 seats from 19.

The representation of Arab Israeli parties would remain constant at 10 seats, with other seats in the 120-member parliament divided between religious groups, the left-wing and the Pensioners party.

Around 10 percent of respondents said they were undecided about who to vote for if snap elections were called.

Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu was found to be the favourite to become the next prime minister, with 29 percent of respondents saying he was the one they would select as premier.

Another 18 percent said they favoured Olmert, 17 percent Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman and just seven percent Defence Minister and Labour chairman Amir Peretz.

The poll, carried out by an independent institute, was based on a sample of 501 people and carried a margin of error of 4.5 percent.

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