Political Earthquake: Majority Wants Olmert, Peretz Out

A poll published on Friday in the Yedioth Ahrnonoth daily shows that 63 percent of Israelis feel that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert failed in managing the war in Lebanon and should resign.

Only 29 percent believe the prime minister is fit to continue leading the country.

About 74 percent of those polled said Defense Minister Amir Peretz mishandled the war and should resign his post. A mere 20 percent said Peretz should keep his post.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Dan Halutz faired slightly better than his superiors with 54 percent saying he should resign over the army's failure to knockout Hizbullah, while 38 percent said he should keep his post....

Only 3 percent of respondents said Peretz is suitable for the job.

Netanyahu favorite for PM

The poll showed that should elections be held today Likud would gain 20 parliament seats, a significant improvement from the 12 seats it currently holds....

Kadima on the other hand would drop from 29 to 17 seats....

Labor didn't fare much better than Kadima with the poll showing a huge drop in support for the party. The poll showed the left-wing party dropping from 19 to 11 Knesset seats if elections were held today....

Support for right-wing rivals Israel Our Home increased with projected results showing the party would gain 17 seats in elections. The party currently holds 11 seats in parliament.

Asked if Olmert and Netanyahu were the only two contestants in the election race, 45 percent said they'd vote for the latter and 24 percent for the former.