February 03, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Israel believe their prime minister should leave office, according to two recent public opinion polls. In a survey by Teleseker published in Maariv, 57 per cent of respondents think Ehud Olmert should resign in light of the publication of the Winograd Report.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Israel believe their prime minister should leave office, according to two recent public opinion polls. In a survey by Teleseker published in Maariv, 57 per cent of respondents think Ehud Olmert should resign in light of the publication of the Winograd Report.

In a study by Maagar Mochot released by Israel Radio, 60 per cent of respondents call for Olmert to quit after the full report was made public.

In March 2006, Israeli voters renewed their legislature or Knesset. Kadima, founded by former prime minister Ariel Sharon and led by Olmert, secured 29 seats. Labour, the Retired People’s Party (Gil) and the International Organization of Torah-observant Sephardic Jews (Shas) joined Kadima in a coalition. In October 2006, the Israeli cabinet approved the addition of Israel Our Home to the government. Olmert’s coalition now has the support of 78 of the Knesset’s 120 members.

A preview of the so-called Winograd Report—which looked into Israel’s handling of the 2006 conflict with Lebanon-based Hezbollah—was released in late April 2007. 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, then 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.

The full Winograd Report was released on Jan. 30. The document blames the IDF—and particularly its ground forces—for failing "to meet most of the missions and challenges they were assigned" and characterizes the conflict against Hezbollah as "a major and serious missed opportunity (which) ended without Israel achieving a clear military victory."

Following the publication of the full Winograd Report, Olmert said he felt "exonerated" over his decision to authorize a major ground operation in the final 60 hours of the conflict with Hezbollah, saying, "The report lifted the moral stigma from me."

On Jan. 31, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah declared: "The Winograd Report is a recognition of the defeat Israel suffered in the Second Lebanon War against our organization."

Polling Data

a) In light of what you heard of the Winograd Report and its results, should Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert resign?

Yes	57%
No	33%
Other	10%

Source: Teleseker / Maariv
Methodology: Interviews with 400 Israeli adults, conducted on Jan. 30, 2008. Margin of error is 4.9 per cent.

b) Today, the full report of the Winograd Committee was released. Do you think that Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert should resign?

Yes	60%
No	19%
Other	21%

Source: Maagar Mochot / Israel Radio
Methodology: Interviews with 474 Israeli adults, conducted on Jan. 30, 2008. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.