Most don’t believe he’ll return as prime minister. Poster of Sharon outside Hadassah hospital
Photo: AP
Poll: Israelis skeptical of PM’s return
Latest poll conducted by Dahaf Institute for Israel’s leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth predicts another three Knesset seats for Kadima in March 28 elections, bringing party’s total to 42; 87 percent of Israelis do not believe Sharon will return as prime minister, while 12 percent still believe he will lead nation again, poll shows
Over a week has past since Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was hospitalized with a severe stroke, and it seems that the public has come to terms with the fact that he will not return to the political arena. Yet, despite this realization, Israelis are still drawn to Sharon’s Kadima party.
The latest poll conducted by the Dahaf Institute for Israel’s leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth predicts another three Knesset seats for Kadima in the March 28 elections, bringing the party’s total number of seats to 42.
According to the poll, 87 percent of Israelis do not believe Sharon will return as prime minister, while 12 percent still believe he will lead the nation again; 75 percent of those surveyed said that in light of the prime minister’s condition it would not be prudent to place him at the top of Kadima’s list ahead of the elections, while 23 percent said they believe such a move would be beneficial to Kadima.
According to the poll, if elections were held today Labor would follow Kadima with 17 Knesset seats, a drop of four seats from the last poll. Likud, which had not yet formed its list of Knesset candidates when the poll was conducted, would gain 13 Knesset seats, dropping one seat from the last Dahaf poll.
45 percent of Israelis want Peres out of politics
The survey also revealed that Shas would win 10 seats, the Arab parties – 8, Meretz – 5 and Shinui – 4.
The poll showed that the public has faith in Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, as 71 percent of those surveyed expressed their satisfaction with his leadership so far.
As to the public’s thoughts on Shimon Peres, the poll showed that 45 percent of Israelis want him out of politics entirely, 35 percent prefer him in Kadima, while 16 percent said they want him to return to Labor.
Regarding the fact that Peres was guaranteed the second spot on Kadima’s list of candidates for the 17th Knesset, 43 percent of those surveyed said his demand was legitimate, while 32 percent said they consider the demand political extortion.
