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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Seven-in-Ten Israelis Want Olmert Out
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Israel believe their prime minister should quit, according to a poll by Teleseker published in Maariv. 73 per cent of respondents think Ehud Olmert should resign.
On Jul. 12, 2006, Hezbollah militants based in Lebanon killed eight Israeli soldiers and captured two more in a cross-border attack. The Israeli armed forces launched air strikes inside Lebanese territory to fight Hezbollah, targeting the country's infrastructure and its airport. Hezbollah retaliated by firing rockets into several Israeli towns.
A ceasefire brokered by the United Nations (UN) came into effect on Aug. 14. Security Council Resolution 1701 calls for "a full cessation of hostilities" from both sides and allows Lebanese government troops and a 15,000-member peacekeeping force to enter into southern Lebanon during the withdrawal of Israeli forces, but sets no timetable for the disarmament of Hezbollah or the return of the two abducted Israeli soldiers.
A preview of the so-called Winograd Report—which looked into Israel's handling of the conflict—was released on Apr. 30. The document, drafted by a special commission appointed by the prime minister to investigate Israel's military and political actions during the war, found Olmert, defence minister Amir Peretz and then Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) chief of staff Dan Halutz responsible for "very serious failings" when making decisions throughout this period.
Part of the report read: "The decision to respond with an immediate, intensive military strike was not based on a detailed, comprehensive and authorized military plan, (or) based on careful study of the complex characteristics of the Lebanon arena." The full report is expected to be published by August.
Politicians from several parties have called for Olmert's resignation. Yesterday, foreign minister Tzipi Livni discussed the situation, saying, "I told the prime minister that I thought to resign was the right thing to do. Now is the time to restore the public's trust in the government."
Polling Data
Do you think Ehud Olmert should resign as prime minister?
Yes | 73% |
No | 17% |
Not sure | 10% |
Source: Teleseker / Maariv
Methodology: Interviews with 501 Israeli adults, conducted on May 1, 2007. Margin of error is 4.6 per cent.