The government on Wednesday defended its decision to not appoint a state commission of inquiry to probe the war in Lebanon,
telling the High Court of Justice that the decision to appoint Winograd Committee is "reasonable and legitimate."
The High Court had asked the government to explain its decision to appoint a committee that lacks the power to hold officials accountable for blunders committed during the war following a petition by the Movement for Quality Movement in Israel.
| Winograd Committee |
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| A-G asked to disqualify Winograd spokesman / Aviram Zino |
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Reservists argue that media advisor to Winograd committee should be disqualified having occupied same post with Israel Defense Forces during Lebanon war |
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Citing a past ruling, the State Prosecutor's Office said "the honorable court would not replace the government's decision with its own."
The State demanded that the petitions against it be rejected.
"The political echelon came to the conclusion that there is a need to probe the conduct of the political and military echelon during the war in order to draw necessary lessons and implement them as soon as possible, to achieve better results in future confrontations, which obviously cannot be ruled out," state attorneys said.
Reservists said in response that "(Prime Minister Ehud) Olmert said what he thinks today and the public will make its position clear tomorrow on Paris Square in Jerusalem during a multi-party political protest to demand the formation of a state commission of inquiry. A state commission of inquiry will be set up because the people won't agree to cover-ups and concealing the truth."
A three-judge panel asked the State to detail the powers of the Winograd committee to hold implicated officials accountable for their failures during the war.
The judges also demanded that the State prove that the appointment of committee members was done in a transparent manner and that their appointment does not present a conflict of interests.
The Movement of Quality Government demanded that the Winograd committee halt the probe until the High Court rules on its legality, but the committee rejected the demand.
"In principle, the Winograd Committee continues its work with the same intensity. Should the High Court rule other wise, the committee would respect the decision. At the moment the committee continues in fast pace, as required. There is no reason to freeze its work," the Winograd committee said.
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