May 13, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Few adults in Israel believe their current head of government should remain in his post, according to a poll by the Dahaf Institute published in Yediot Ahronot. 59 per cent of respondents want Ehud Olmert to resign, while 33 per cent want him to remain as prime minister.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Few adults in Israel believe their current head of government should remain in his post, according to a poll by the Dahaf Institute published in Yediot Ahronot. 59 per cent of respondents want Ehud Olmert to resign, while 33 per cent want him to remain as prime minister.

In addition, 60 per cent of respondents believe Olmert is not able to lead diplomatic or state processes as the investigation against him unfolds.

In March 2006, Israeli voters renewed the Knesset. Kadima, founded by former prime minister Ariel Sharon and led by Ehud Olmert, secured 29 seats in the legislature. Labour, the International Organization of Torah-observant Sephardic Jews (Shas) and the Retired People’s Party (Gil) joined Kadima in a coalition. In October, 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.

Yesterday, Israeli police raided the offices of Jerusalem’s city government and seized documents related to Olmert’s tenure as mayor, from 1993 to 2003. Olmert is alleged to have illegally accepted hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars from American businessman Moshe Talansky. Neither Olmert nor Talansky have been charged with any crime.

Talansky denied any wrongdoing, saying, "I never thought in any way that the money that I gave him (...) was in any way illegal or wrong. He was not the only one that came to America to ask for money for their election campaign. And so I thought it was legal."

In November 2007, Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas and leaders from the United States, Israel and several Arab countries attended an international conference on Middle East affairs in Annapolis, Maryland. The meeting was brokered by United States president George W. Bush. On Nov. 27, Abbas and Olmert announced they would work towards having a peace treaty signed by the end of 2008, which would include the creation of a Palestinian state. Abbas and Olmert have met in person several times since then.

Polling Data

Should Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert continue in his position, or resign/take a leave of absence?

Resign	59%
Remain	33%
No reply	8%

Is Olmert able to lead diplomatic/state processes despite the investigation against him?

Yes	38%
No	60%
No reply	2%

Source: Dahaf Institute / Yediot Ahronot
Methodology: Interviews with 500 Israeli adults, conducted on May 11, 2008. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.