Poll: 81 percent back fighting in north

Dahaf Institute for Yedioth Ahronoth found that large majority of Israelis
support continued fighting in Lebanon. Good news also for Olmert and Peretz
Ynet 18 July 2006
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3277594,00.html

For Nasrallah's information, the public has buttressed support for the
government: according to the Dahaf survey performed by Dr. Mina Tzemach for
Yedioth Ahronoth, 81 percent of the public is for a continuation of the
fighting in the north.

The survey also found that 58 percent of Israelis believe that fighting
should continue until Hizbullah is completely eradicated. This number
reached 69 percent among those living in the north. 23 percent of those
surveyed think that the fighting should go on only until Hizbullah pulls
back from the border. Only 17 percent think we should stop fighting and
start negotiating.

According to the survey performed last night on a 513-respondent
representative sample of the adult population in Israel including residents
of the north - there is general satisfaction with the performance of Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert. Some 34 percent responded that his response to the
fighting in the north has been "very good," 44 percent responded his
response has been fairly good, and only 8 percent responded that it is "very
bad."

Support of Peretz

The defense minister, Amir Peretz, also earned wide support of his
performance. What are your opinions of the minister's performance? 72
percent of those surveyed responded that they are satisfied with Peretz of
which 30% believe his performance is "very good." Only 12 percent of those
surveyed believe that his performance has been "very bad."

What about whether or not the military operation is justified? 86 percent of
you think it is the correct path of action (as opposed to 97 percent of
those living in the north) while only 14 percent of you think it is a
mistake.

In terms of the IDF's performance in the war, it seems that the public is
satisfied. The army enjoys support among 87 percent of the population. 62
percent of those asked responded that the army's performance is "very good."
25 percent responded that the army's performance is "fairly good." 5 percent
responded that the army's performance has been "fairly bad," and 4 percent
responded it has been "very bad."

(07.18.06, 08:45)