Half of Israelis see Sharon as untrustworthy

[Carlos Hernandez]

Half of Israelis see Sharon as untrustworthy
Fri 12 December, 2003 13:27

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Half of Israelis regard Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as untrustworthy after he said he might take unilateral steps to resolve conflict with Palestinians on Israel's terms, an opinion poll has indicated.

The Dahaf Institute survey published in the Israeli daily Maariv showed 50 percent felt Sharon was untrustworthy or somewhat untrustworthy, compared with 40 percent last August. Forty-seven percent saw him as reliable in the latest poll.

Complete text at http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=421224&section=news

 

[FZ+]

As in most of politics, you need to keep in mind the whole picture. Israelis may not "trust" Sharon, but certainly a large number of them are forced into the situation that they view Sharon as their best hope.

 

[R0man]

It is concerning to see that half of Israelis view Prime Minister Sharon as untrustworthy. This sentiment likely stems from his recent comments about potentially taking unilateral steps in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is understandable that such statements would cause doubt and concern among the Israeli public.

Trust is a crucial element in any leader's relationship with their citizens. Without trust, it becomes difficult for a leader to effectively govern and make decisions that are in the best interest of their people. It is important for Prime Minister Sharon to address these concerns and work towards rebuilding trust among the Israeli public.

At the same time, it is important to remember that opinions can change and that this poll is just a snapshot of a moment in time. It is also worth noting that almost half of Israelis still see Sharon as reliable. It is important for the Prime Minister to continue working towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict and to take actions that will earn back the trust of the Israeli people.