May 19, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The majority of people in Israel think Ehud Olmert should resign, according to a poll by Maagar Mochot released by Israel Radio. 62 per cent of respondents think the Israeli prime minister—currently under investigation for corruption allegations—should step down, while 32 per cent want him to should stay in his post.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The majority of people in Israel think Ehud Olmert should resign, according to a poll by Maagar Mochot released by Israel Radio. 62 per cent of respondents think the Israeli prime minister—currently under investigation for corruption allegations—should step down, while 32 per cent want him to should stay in his post.

In the event of Olmert’s resignation, 51 per cent of respondents want the governing coalition to call a snap legislative ballot, while 32 per cent would prefer to see the Kadima party electing a new leader and staying in power.

In March 2006, Israeli voters renewed the Knesset. Kadima, founded by former prime minister Ariel Sharon and led by 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.

On May 12, 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 Moshe Talansky and other wealthy Jewish-American businessmen, either as illegal campaign contributions or bribes. Neither Olmert nor Talansky have been charged with any crime, but now Olmert is under investigation.

Following calls for his resignation while the investigation continues, Olmert—who has been the subject of other corruption probes in the past—said that he will step down only if the attorney general decides to indict him. If the prime minister steps down, a snap election could take place.

On May 15, S. Daniel Abraham—an American billionaire—was questioned by police in relation to Olmert’s case. Abraham said after the interrogation: "Of course I never gave any money to Ehud Olmert. The very question is insulting to me. (...) This is my reputation at stake and I have no reason to risk it." Abraham also said while visiting Israel that Olmert is "one of the best prime ministers we have ever had."

Polling Data

Should Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert resign or continue in his position?

Continue	32%
Resign	62%
Other replies	6%

If Olmert resigns what would you prefer: advancing the elections for the Knesset or the formation of a new government headed by whoever is chosen to lead the Kadima party?

Advance elections	51%
New Kadima-headed government	32%
Other replies	17%

Source: Maagar Mochot / Israel Radio
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 512 Israeli adults, conducted from May 14, 2008. Margin of error is 4.7 per cent.