In almost any other democracy the pressure would be intolerable. Ehud Olmert, the Israeli Prime Minister, has been accused by a scathing government report of a “serious failure in exercising judgment, responsibility and prudence” during the war last year against Lebanon. His popularity rating in one poll is a derisory 2 per cent, and another found that 69 per cent of Israeli voters want him to quit. A senior Labour minister in the Kadima-led coalition Government has resigned and called on Mr Olmert to do so also. The interim report, published on Monday, accused him of taking the country to war hastily, rashly and “with no comprehensive plan” and the Prime Minister has publicly acknowledged these failings. Yet he insisted that it would be “incorrect” for him to resign and said he had a duty to remain in office to implement the lessons of the report. He could yet weather the storm.

Mr Olmert heads a stable coalition of Kadima and Labour, holding 78 of the 120 seats in the Knesset. The economy is strong, and the public have hitherto been reluctant to demonstrate en masse, despite widespread anger at the failure of the war in Lebanon to achieve either of its two aims: the destruction of Hezbollah bases and the release of two kidnapped Israeli soldiers. Members of the Government are reluctant to call for fresh elections, as polls indicate that they would be defeated by Likud, the right-wing Opposition headed by Binyamin Netanyahu.

Despite the failure of the 34-day conflict to achieve Israel’s objectives, most Israelis supported the action when it began. Even critics of its military and political leadership believe that Israel was obliged to respond vigorously to the provocations and rocket attacks launched from Lebanon by Hezbollah. Labour, especially, is in no position to blame Mr Olmert: its own leader, Amir Peretz, holds the position of Defence Minister, and was seen as particularly responsible for the failures in intelligence, coordination and military leadership. Polls have found that 74 per cent of voters now think that he should resign.

Nevertheless, the protests are clearly taking a toll on Mr Olmert. He appeared pale and tired at public engagements yesterday, and was clearly shaken by the tone, as well as the content, of the report. He cannot take the support of his party for granted, and may find a hostile reception at the mass rally planned for tomorrow in Tel Aviv. If there are continuing demonstrations, Kadima may force him out of office and replace him with the Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, who has also reportedly called for his resignation.

The Lebanon war report has underlined two things. The first is the overreliance of successive Israeli governments on guidance from the military. Given the country’s precarious security, the military’s early record of success and the central role of the army in unifying all citizens, this is understandable. But it does not always serve an elected government well. The second point is the contrast between the clear and transparent attempts by Israelis to learn the lessons of the war and the failure of their adversaries to do so. Hezbollah is still trying to destabilise the Government in Lebanon. Syria and Iran are rearming and galvanising the militants, in defiance of the United Nations. The war may be over, but tensions are rising again. Israel needs leadership and political stability to face the new challenges.