New opinion polls have put Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's right-wing Likud party firmly on course to win next week's general election.
The outcome of the ballot pitting Mr Sharon against dovish Labour Party challenger Mr Amram Mitzna is expected to be decisive in determining Israel's future approach to the Palestinian uprising.
The latest surveys in the Yedioth Ahronothand Maarivnewspapers had Likud winning 31 to 33 seats in the 120-seat parliament, compared to as many as 34 in polls taken last week. Its main opponent, centre-left Labour, was on 19 or 20 seats, roughly the same as last week.
Both polls showed Mr Sharon would have a majority in parliament if he formed a coalition with a bloc of right-wing parties.
The surveys confirmed a trend detected last week showing Likud had halted a slide in support that had been prompted by a corruption scandal. They also underlined that Labour was failing to reduce Likud's lead as the January 28th election approaches.
One poll suggested Labour would win far more votes if it were led by ex-Foreign Minister Shimon Peres rather than Mr Mitzna, intensifying criticism of the candidate whose dovish campaign has not attracted the centre-right voters who are key to election victory.
Israeli media said some Labour lawmakers were proposing Mr Mitzna steps aside. But he dismissed speculation he might stand down.
In the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the Palestinian leadership yesterday marked the cancellation of what had been the date for Palestinian elections.
In December, the Palestinian Authority postponed indefinitely its second-ever general election, scheduled for January 20th, due to Israel's reoccupation of Palestinian cities and towns in the West Bank following a wave of suicide bombings.