31 Percent Israelis See Sharon Unworthy to Serve as PM: Poll

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, January 09, 2003

31 Percent Israelis See Sharon Unworthy to Serve as PM: Poll

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Nearly 31 percent Israelis believe Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who has allegedly received illegally 1.5 million US dollars from a South African businessman, is unworthy of serving as the country's leader, a poll conducted by Army Radio showed on Wednesday.

According to the poll, 16 percent of potential supporters for the Sharon-led Likud Party believe the scandal would disqualify Sharon from the prime minister position, while 46 percent believe Sharon would stay in the post.

Only three weeks ahead of the general elections, Sharon has to face a troublesome bribery scandal, which could drown his political career, after the Ha'aretz Daily revealed it Tuesday.

During the Likud primary elections last November, Sharon reportedly received 1.5 million dollars from South African businessman Cyril Kern in the form of low-interest loan to a company held by Sharon's sons Omri and Gilad.

Sharon's adviser Eyal Arad conceded Tuesday Sharon has received the money, but denied any connection to criminal activity.

"It is not by chance that there are leaks, lies and disinformation designed to bring down the prime minister and his government," Arad said, adding that it was a lawful loan that was repaid with interest last month.

Arad also confirmed that Sharon has ordered Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein to root out the source of allegations. The State Attorney's office has asked the South African Justice Ministry for help in its investigation of how and why Sharon received the money from Kern.

Labor Party Chairman Amram Mitzna on Tuesday called on Sharon to resign or present his own account of the events in question.

"If Sharon decides to keep quiet, he will lose his legitimacy and be unworthy of leading Israel in its hour of crisis," Mitzna said.

Head of Labor's election team, MK Ofir Pines-Paz, submitted an official request to the police commissioner and head of the police investigation branch for Sharon to be interviewed on the matter.

Analysts here said the Labor Party, a major rival of Likud in general elections, would utilize the alleged Sharon's bribery scandal to get more public support and win the elections slated forJan. 28.

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