Poll: Sharon's support in Israel eroding

Critics on the left and right have expressed dissatisfaction with Sharon's efforts.

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- For the first time in 11 months, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon no longer enjoys the support of the majority of Israeli voters, according to a poll released Friday.

The poll, conducted by Israel's Maariv newspaper, found that Sharon's support dramatically eroded in the past two weeks, during which the violence between Palestinians and Israel has intensified.

Support for Sharon -- who swept to power in February 2001 on pledges to protect Israel's security -- dropped by 8 percent in those two weeks, the poll found. Fifty-three percent of those polled were dissatisfied with the overall performance of Sharon; 42 percent were satisfied.

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Only 20 percent said Sharon has fulfilled his election promises, while 73 percent said he has not.

One question gave an interesting insight into the minds of Israelis amid the ongoing violence: "Is Israel's situation better, worse or the same as a year ago?"

Sixty-eight percent said it is worse; only 7 percent said it is better; 23 percent said it is the same.

The Maariv poll also shows support among conservative voters has dropped to 25 percent and that 52 percent now back former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sharon's principal rival for leadership of the Likud party.

The newspaper said the poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.