Local Editor, 06-02-2010

In all perspectives, it appears that the one-year-mark for presidencies is anything but a positive event. Shortly after Barack Obama's one-year-popularity plunge, Benjamin Netanyahu got his share of the apparently contagious ailment.

A poll conducted by Haaretz revealed that the Likud leader couldn't hold ground in ruling the occupation entity as the majority of settlers were dissatisfied with his performance. Most respondents in the poll also question his suitability as a prime minister.

The results indicated he is losing grounds among his right-wing supporters.

The Every few months, this poll, conducted under the supervision of Prof. Camil Fuchs from the Department of Statistics at Tel Aviv University, checks the prime minister's political health.

Netanyahu had been in good shape since his election, but in the new survey that all changed. When it comes to suitability for the premiership, Netanyahu still ranks ahead of his rival, Kadima leader Tzipi Livni. But the gap is narrowing: Not in her favor, but to his detriment.

Several reasons stand behind his popularity plunge. In the past three weeks, Netanyahu has been faced with negative, embarrassing reports about his domineering wife and about him personally, as well as about how he is dealing with her and about developments in his bureau, Haaretz reported, asserting that the main reason for the drop in his popularity is his decision to freeze construction in the illegal settlements.