Last update - 00:00 07/11/2007
Public poll: Olmert most corrupt member of government
By Mijal Grinberg, Haaretz Correspondent
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was judged the most corrupt member of government by the public for the second year in a row according to the Sderot Conference, an annual gathering of experts which published its yearly report Wednesday.
The Conference's annual "corruption parade," a poll based on public surveys conducted in the lead-up to the meet, found that Israelis believe Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to be the Knesset's "most honest" minister, as they did in last year's poll.
The surveys found that 56 percent of participants are convinced Olmert is corrupt member of parliament according to the public. Runner-up to Olmert was former finance minister Abraham Hirchson of Kadima with 55 percent, while Haim Ramon of Kadima and Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beiteinu) shared third place with 33 percent.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak (Labor) took fourth place along with Finance Minister Roni Bar-On (Kadima), both of whom were voted corrupt by 29 percent of participants.
The surveys showed public confidence in Livni (Kadima) was highest of all members of the government at 46 percent, with Education Minister Yuli Tamir (Labor) receiving 43 percent of the vote. Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz (Kadima) took third place with 34 percent, while Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter received 27 percent. Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Eli Yishai of the ultra-Orthodox Shas took fifth place with 25 percent.
Among members of Knesset who are not in the government, Tzachi Hanegbi of Kadima was considered the most corrupt with 40 percent of the vote, followed by opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) with 38 percent and Esterina Tartman (Yisrael Beiteinu) with 32 percent. Former defense minister Amir Peretz and Eli Marciano, both of Labor, were voted corrupt by 31 and 24 percent respectively.
MKs seen as most trustworthy were Shelly Yachimovich of Labor with 44 percent, Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik of Kadima with 41 percent and Meretz-Yachad's Ran Cohen at 34 percent.
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