Peretz and Halutz
Photo: Doron Golan
Olmert
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Report: War probe to point to PM
Channel 10 reports that Winograd Commission will reprimand Olmert for making 'hasty,' 'misguided' decisions during war, but will fall short of recommending he resign; report to slam Peretz for not seeking enough military advice, and chide former army chief for undermining rocket threat
The commission appointed by the government to investigate the handling of last summer's war will point to a number of deficiencies in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's conduct, including making decisions "hastily," but will not call on him to resign, Channel 10 reported Friday evening.
According to television channel, the Winograd Commission concluded that Olmert's decision to go to war against Hizbullah was "misguided and hasty."
The Winograd Commission will release its interim report on Monday.
The report will also point to Defense Minister Amir Peretz who is accused of doing little to compensate for his lack of military experience when he resumed responsibility of the defense portfolio, Channel 10 reported.
Former IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz underestimated the threat of Katiusha rockets fired by Hizbullah during the war, the Winograd Commission has found according to Channel 10.
The commission also found that Halutz had failed to present the government with alternative military plans and had tried to persuade the political echelon to accept selected plans.
Halutz will also be reprimanded for silencing senior officers in his entourage who voiced opposition to some of his decisions and recommendations during the war, it was reported
The commission will accuse Olmert of failing to manage the war and of hastily sanctioning the military plans presented to him, the report said.
Olmert is also blamed for taking the country into war without envisioning a way out, Channel 10 said.
Last September the government bowed to public dissatisfaction with the army's poor performance during the war and appointed the Winograd Commission to probe the army and government's conduct during the war.
