In the broadcasts Netanyahu has preferred to run with, he admits to having made mistakes and calls on traditional Likud supporters to continue to vote for the party, even if they have been disappointed with him.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu dismissed reports about party concern over the latest poll results.
A poll aired by Channel 2 on Tuesday night showed Netanyahu trailing Barak 35 percent to 44 percent. Barak’s lead would grow to 54 percent, with Netanyahu getting 36 percent, if the Center Party’s Yitzhak Mordechai and Arab candidate Azmi Bishara would drop out of the race. Mordechai would win 6 percent if he runs in Monday’s election, according to the poll.
Netanyahu is apparently still more optimistic regarding his chances in a runoff.
But Likud Knesset members warned they fear Netanyahu cannot win a second round unless he helps strengthen the party’s image. Channel 2’s poll showed Barak defeating Netanyahu 50 percent to 33 percent in a second round.
At a meeting between Likud Knesset members and Netanyahu Tuesday morning, at least three members — Shaul Amor, Michael Eitan and Reuven Rivlin — called on him to strengthen the focus on the party and not on his campaign for premier.
“The Likud and Netanyahu are one,” Rivlin said. “Netanyahu has no chance of winning in the second round if the Likud is defeated in the first.”