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Photo: Eli Levy
MK Cohen
Photo: Eli Levy

MK Cohen: Government acted rashly

Meretz parliamentarian among Foreign Affairs Committee members already looking into war

Members of the Knesset Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee began Tuesday a process they characterized as hearing testimonials from relevant parties regarding the war in Lebanon.

 

Committee members took the opportunity to voice explicit criticism over the way the government conducted itself during the fighting.

 

Meretz Knesset Member Ran Cohen said political leaders made decisions rashly, "without knowing…who will carry out this war and how can objectives be reached."

 

"The decision on this large, wide-scale war was made rashly in my view," Cohen said.

 

However, Cohen noted that along with the war failures the IDF achieved some significant military accomplishments. The MK said the failures stem from the fact that the extent of Hizbullah's power was not internalized fully by the IDF.

 

"This is the reason for the lack of readiness of the units when it comes to training sessions and preparations for combat," he said.

 

After touring the north Tuesday, Committee members were asked about reports that IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz sold his investment portfolio on the eve of the war. Kadima MK Tzachi Hanegbi said he has not yet fully examined the issue, but MK Cohen characterized the reports as embarrassing.

 

"I'm unable to deal with my family's financial matters during a workday at the Knesset, so I don't understand how one can deal with it on a day of a significant incident such as the abduction of the two soldiers and on the eve of the war," he said. "It looks very odd to me."

 

The first to testify before the Committee was IDF Northern Command Chief Udi Adam. Committee members also visited the Rivka Ziv hospital in Safed where civilians hurt by rockets and wounded soldiers are still hospitalized.

 

"We're at the start of a cautious, measured and responsible process as much as is possible," Committee Chairman Hanegbi said, and added the examination was meant to ensure "all systems are ready for the next confrontation, which apparently isn't far off."

 

Hanegbi said the process only began and it was too early to offer an opinion regarding the need to establish a parliamentarian or official state inquiry into the war.

 

"We're not taking any official decisions at this time," he said. "The Committee will invite the prime minister, defense minister, foreign minister, army chief, all relative major generals…and of course regiment commanders and reserve troops. Everyone will be able to come and speak up before the Committee, and then we'll create a serious, comprehensive document."

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.15.06, 18:47
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