Nearly two thirds of Israelis want Ehud Olmert to resign, an Israeli newspaper poll found today, a reflection of the widespread perception that Israel failed in its war against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

The poll, carried out by Yediot Aharanot, Israel's bestselling daily newspaper, found that 63 per cent of Israelis want the Prime Minister to step down after ordering a 34-day conflict that appeared to achieve little but the devastation of southern Lebanon at the cost 157 Israeli lives and the deaths of around than 1,000 Lebanese civilians.

Since the UN ceasefire that stopped the large-scale fighting more than ten days ago, Hezbollah has emerged with its reputation enhanced across the Arab world while Mr Olmert's Government, in power since March, has had to contend with an inquiry into the performance of the military during the fighting and a sex scandal that forced the resignation of the Justice Minister, Haim Ramon.

Hundreds of army reservists have carried out near-daily protests against Mr Olmert's Government, accusing ministers and generals of incompetence during the conflict, which saw Hezbollah fire more than 4,000 rockets at Israel.

Other polls published today showed a swing of support away from Mr Olmert's centrist Kadima party, the creation of the now comatose former Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, towards the right-wing Likud.

A survey in Maariv, a left-leaning newspaper, showed that only 14 per cent of Israelis would vote for Mr Olmert if new elections were held, while 26 percent would back Benjamin Netanyahu, the hawkish former prime minister and current leader of Likud. The Yediot poll said 45 percent would support Mr Netanyahu.

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