A-G asked to disqualify Winograd spokesman
Reservists argue that media advisor to Winograd committee should be disqualified having occupied same post with Israel Defense Forces during Lebanon war
Another setback for Winograd committee: A group of reservists angry by the government's handling of the war against Hizbullah demanded Sunday that Attorney General Menachem Mazuz disqualify Motti Shraf as media advisor to the Winograd committee in charge of probing the war.
Shraf, reservists say, should be disqualified for conflict of interests having served as the Israel Defense Forces's media advisor during the war.
"It is impossible that the IDF's media advisor during the war serves as PR advisor to the Winograd commission," reservists said. "The preoccupation of the committee with public relations proves that committee leaders understand that it is not enjoying public trust, and therefore they chose to focus mainly on the media and PR."
The move marks another setback for the committee after the High Court ordered the government to justify its decision not to appoint a state commission of inquiry to probe the war in accordance with public demands.
As a government commission the Winograd committee has limited powers.
The court reached its decision following a petition filed by the Movement for Quality Government in Israel about two weeks ago.
In the petition, the movement asked the High Court to annul the appointment of the Wingorad Commission, claiming that the establishment of a governmental committee instead of a state commission of inquiry was against the law
On Thursday, after a number of members were disqualified, quit, or were transferred from their posts, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz ruled that Meni Ben-Haim cannot serve as Winograd Commission secretary.
In a letter sent to Mazuz by the commission's chairman, retired judge Eliyahu Winograd, it was written that "after an examination of the issues, I have come to the conclusion that there is an obstacle to appointing Mr. Ben-Haim to this post because of a concern that there appears to be conflict of interests and damage to the public faith in the commission's work."
Further on in the letter, Mazuz mentioned that the findings of the investigation he made show that the appointment was made based on practical considerations, however, he chose to disqualify the appointment.
"The appointment was made on the background of acquaintance with Mr. Ben-Haim and his professional capabilities and there was no involvement on the part of the political echelons in any way, shape, or form in the appointment.
