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Israelis Want PM Olmert to Step Down
- Many adults in Israel are disappointed with the performance of their prime minister, according to a poll by the Dahaf Institute published by Yediot Ahronot. 63 per cent of respondents believe Ehud Olmert should resign.
On Jul. 12, 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 peacekeeping mission 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.
On Aug. 22, former prime minister and current Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu called for a state commission to review the performance of the army and the government during the war, saying, "We have to prevent a hopeless situation the next time." 22 per cent of respondents would like Netanyahu to take over as head of government, while 18 per cent would choose Israel Our Home leader Avigdor Lieberman.
In March, Israeli voters renewed the Knesset. The Kadima party, founded by former prime minister Ariel Sharon and led by Olmert, secured 29 seats. The Labour party, the Retired People's Party (Gil) and the International Organization of Torah-observant Sephardic Jews (Shas) have joined Kadima in a coalition. 27 per cent of respondents think new elections are in order, 20 per cent favour the creation of an emergency government, and 19 per cent believe the current administration should remain in place.
Polling Data
Should Ehud Olmert resign?
Yes | 63% |
No | 29% |
Who is most appropriate to serve today as prime minister?
Benjamin Netanyahu | 22% |
Avigdor Lieberman | 18% |
Simon Peres | 12% |
Ehud Olmert | 11% |
Tzipi Livni | 10% |
Ehud Barak | 4% |
Amir Peretz | 1% |
None | 20% |
What is the most appropriate thing to do politically today?
New elections | 27% |
Emergency government | 20% |
Keep government as is | 19% |
Remove Labour and bring in the right | 16% |
Bring in right-wing parties | 14% |
Source: Dahaf Institute / Yediot Ahronot
Methodology: Interviews with 499 Israeli adults, conducted on Aug. 23, 2006. Margin of error is 3.7 per cent.