Poll: Most Israelis unsatisfied with Olmert's performance

Olmert. Public unsatisfied Photo: Gil Yohanan

Poll conducted by Dahaf Institute for Knesset Channel shows public's dissatisfaction with prime minister; 69 percent of Israelis think Olmert's leadership capabilities aren't good; 45 percent say if Olmert fires to Amir Peretz, their opinion of him will improve; 80 responded that not all elements were considered before going to war in Lebanon

Ynet

January 3, 2006

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has reason to worry. According to a poll taken by the Dahaf Institute for the Knesset Channel, 77 percent of Israel is are dissatisfied with Olmert's performance as prime minister.

As Olmert comes upon completing his first year as prime minister, 420 respondents were asked what grade they would give him on his performance. Some 47 percent of the respondents gave the prime minister a grade of "very bad," 30 percent gave him a grade of "fairly bad," and 20 percent graded him as "good."

Only one percent of those asked responded that they think Olmert's performance has been "very good."

The poll also examined Olmert's leadership skills. Sixty-nine percent of the survey participants claimed that Olmert's leadership skills are not good, as opposed to 31 percent of those who think otherwise.

To the question, "How would you rate Olmert's resilience under pressure?" 62 percent of the respondents said that he doesn't not deal with pressure well, and 37 percent responded that they think Olmert deals well under pressure.

Some 74 percent of the respondents said the prime minister’s decision-making process was unsatisfactory, as opposed to 26 percent who said they were “fairly satisfied” with Olmert on this matter.

According to the survey, 60 percent of Israelis to not have a high opinion of Olmert’s integrity, compared with 30 percent who believe otherwise.

Asked what would change their opinion of the prime minister, 45 percent of those who took part in the survey said their appreciation of the prime minister would improve if he would remove Defense Minister Amir Peretz from his post, while only four percent said they would not appreciate such a move. Fifty-one percent of respondents said Peretz’s dismissal would not affect their judgment of the prime minister.

Only 20 percent of those surveyed said their appreciation for Olmert would increase if he would dismiss IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz , as opposed to six percent of participants who said firing the army chief would decrease their appreciation for the PM.

Regarding the Lebanon war, 80 percent of those surveyed said that not all the relevant considerations were taken into account prior to making the decision to go to war; however, 56 percent said the war was justified.

Further Information:

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Olmert's alibi