While it seems the Israeli public is fed up with the current leadership, especially Premier Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister, Amir Peretz, the popularity of Israeli-Russian tycoon Arcadi Gaydamak is rising on a daily basis. Recent polls indicate that if Gaydamak decides to enter the political fray, he might lead the biggest party in the next Israeli parliament (Knesset).
But beyond the polls, in recent weeks more and more prominent political figures have announced publicly their support of Gaydamak's political ambitions. The last one to do so was former Soviet dissident and Israeli minister, Natan Sharansky, who on Wednesday told Israel Radio he would support Gaydamak in the next elections. Sharansky's backing should not be dismissed. The former Gulag prisoner's views are very well-respected by the Israeli public, the US State Department and President Bush himself.
As for the polls, Gaydamak has all the reasons to smile. Israel's Channel 10 TV on Tuesday night published the most updated poll, showing that a new Gaydamak party has the potential to gain a third of the seats in the 120-seat Knesset. According to the poll, 29% said they would vote for Gaydamak party in the event he decides to run in the next elections. This figure matches recent comments by the Israeli-Russian businessman, who declared he would gain 40 seats in Parliament if he enters politics. Additionally, Channel 10's poll found that 34% of the Israelis said they want to see Gaydamak holding a ministerial post.
These developments prove that Gaydamak has the potential to become the next Israeli premier. In recent months, according to political observers he acted efficiently in social affairs, where the cabinet failed to address the hardships of Israeli citizens in the north and the south of the country.
