Olmert testifies before Winograd Committee
Olmert appears before Winograd Committee investigating war Thursday. Prime minister expected to assume responsibility for decisions taken during war, intends to prove that his decision to leave Lebanon was the right one
The prime minister is expected to assume responsibility for the decisions taken during the war, and intends to prove that his decision to leave Lebanon was the right one.
Olmert is also expected to point out the successes of the war, as well as to admit to it’s failures.
PM's convoy Thursday morning (Photo: Ofer Amram)
Olmert will be the last high profile figure to testify before the committee, which is expected to release an interim report of its findings.
The report could seal the fate of his government, and of Defense Minister Amir Peretz in particular.
The prime minister is also expected to face criminal charges for crimes he allegedly committed when he was minister of Industry, Trade and Labor during the Sharon government.
Halutz admits to war mistakes
On Sunday resigning Chief of Staff Lt. Gen.Dan Halutz testified before the Winograd Committee for no less than seven hours.
He avoided directly attacking the political echelons or other officials in the defense establishment. Halutz said that it was a definite mistake not to call up the reserves earlier, even if a ground operation was not required at first.
The committee focused on the initial stages of the war on July 12 after the kidnapping of the two soldiers and the considerations to go to battle. Later on in the testimony, the committee panel started asking more pointed questions about the progression of the war and the operations undertaken at its end.
The chief of staff insisted that the political echelon was presented with every option and consideration before each operation was carried out.
