Israel's election race -- largely a one-man show (2)

Some of Netanyahu's alienated supporters appear to prefer lists reflecting more accurately their personal expectations.

Many intend to follow the call of the party which Netanyahu tries to emulate -- the even more right-wing Jewish Home party which caters settlers' interests.

"I trust Netanyahu but I want to strengthen his right flank," said an unnamed supporter of the Jewish Home party.

Some are so disaffected that they don't know yet for whom to vote. "I'm sitting on the fence right now," said an undecided young man.

Nevertheless, experts predict that Netanyahu will succeed himself -- if only by default.

"Not because he's better, but because he's the least worst," Regev noted.

A far second in the electoral race, Labor party chairwoman Shelli Yechimovitch focuses on socio-economic issues.

"So long as Netanyahu remains at the helm," she stated a recent Labor party rally, "the gap between rich and poor will remain."

"We shall remove Netanyahu," she pledged. "And if we don't, we shall lead the opposition."

Whether peace -- not society -- should be the election's front- running issue divides the Center and the Left. And thus, with no prospect of change in power, an encompassing moroseness has settled on the campaign.

"Netanyahu is a very bad prime minister but it's not the main issue. The most important thing is the peace process with the Palestinians," a Labor supporter claimed.

Not peace and security as in the past, but security and stability are Netanyahu's motto. Israelis are still reeling after their country's recent military onslaught on the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza.

"We see the Palestinians; Syria, who knows what's gonna happen; our relations with Egypt are changing; Iran; who knows what's gonna happen in Jordan right next door; and not only that, internal issues as well. We saw the social uprising here. There's so much at stake," Regev explained.