Iran is our biggest concern, Israelis say in poll

JERUSALEM, Sep 22 (Reuters) A majority of Israelis say their biggest concern is Iran and they also believe the Jewish state is struggling for survival, two opinion polls published today showed.

The polls reflect fear over Iran's nuclear programme and frustration at the army's failure to crush the Iranian-backed Hizbollah guerrilla group in Lebanon during the recent war.

A poll in the Yedioth Ahronoth daily said 53 percent of Israelis believed Iran was the most worrying factor in the coming Jewish New Year, which begins at sunset today. Only 12 per cent cited a renewal of hostilities with Hizbollah.

The second poll, published in the Jerusalem Post, said 75 per cent of Israelis believed Israel was struggling for survival.

Many Israelis feel the outcome of the 34-day Lebanon war, which ended under a U.N. truce on August 14, has left the country more vulnerable in a region of Muslim foes.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said on Sunday the world might have as little as ''a few months'' to avoid a nuclear Iran and called for sanctions.

Iran, whose president last year called for Israel to be ''wiped off the map,'' says it is seeking nuclear power not weapons.

Reuters SY DB1157