Amir Peretz
Photo: Hagai Aharon
Peretz says he acted 'wisely' during war
Defense minister slams former Prime Minister Ehud Barak for decision to withdraw from Lebanon in May 2000, saying decision was a failure
Defense Minister Amir Peretz
on Sunday praised his handling of last summer's war with Hizbullah
as having been "logical and wise."
In an indirect attack at former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, Peretz slammed Israel's decision to withdraw from Lebanon in May 2000, saying that the hasty exit was a failure.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz (Photo: Hagai Aharon)
Peretz said the commission investigating the handling of last summer's war "acknowledged the failure caused by the withdrawal without an agreement and proper security arrangements."
Barak, who is running against Peretz in the primaries for the Labor leadership this month, ended Israel's 22-year presence in Lebanon in May 2000.
The commission censured Peretz, who lacks military experience, for failing to seek enough military advice during the war.
Peretz and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appointed the commission last September to probe the government's and the army's handling of the war following public uproar at the army's poor performance against the Shiite guerillas.
"The war exposed old deficiencies and today the IDF is training as it hasn't done in seven years," Peretz said at a facility for assembling military vehicles in Nazareth-Ilit.
