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Photo: Emile Salman, Haaretz
Prime Miniser Benjamin Netayahu
Photo: Emile Salman, Haaretz

Knesset to discuss report pointing to gov't mishandling of Gaza war

53 opposition MKs demand review of State Comptroller's draft report berating Netanyahu government's alleged operational failure; bereaved parents demand review.

A draft version of a report penned by State Comptroller Yosef Shapira about Operation Protective Edge, the findings of which are rumored to indicate damning failures of the government’s handling of the war, will be presented before the Knesset for review. Fifty-three MKs hailing from the various opposition factions signed on Sunday the initiative to bring about a special discussion on the matter.

 

 

Its signatories include MKs who signed the initiative are from Meretz, The Zionist Union Camp, the Arab Joint List and Yesh Atid. The day of the discussion has yet to be determined.  

 

Meretz Chairman Ilan Gilon said: “Serious failures of the previous Netanyahu government which are coming to light in the leaked draft report, prove that the security of Israel is in the hands of people who can’t be trusted. We demand even more so that, given the latest incidents in the south, the prime minister appears to the Knesset to be held accountable and provide clear answers to the public.”

 

Netanyahu, Ya'alon and Gantz in IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv during Operation Protective Edge (Photo: Chaim Tzach/GPO)
Netanyahu, Ya'alon and Gantz in IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv during Operation Protective Edge (Photo: Chaim Tzach/GPO)

 

On Monday morning reserve General Yom-Tov Samia, who served as Deputy Commander of the Southern Command during the 50-day operation, also expressed harsh criticism about the handling of the war. “I have not read the draft report but however drastic it may be - I am not sure that it will be drastic enough,” he said. During an interview with Army Radio , Samia added: “The honor award ceremony for the operation was a scandal. The citations were there to cover something up.”

 

Yom-Tov Samia (Photo: Herzel Yosef) (Photo: Herzel Yosef)
Yom-Tov Samia (Photo: Herzel Yosef)

 

Last Thursday, media sources reported State Comptroller Yosef Shapira's intention to publish a devestating report about the operation which would include profound criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon and former Chief of Staff Benny Gantz.

 

A draft of the secret report was presented before cabinet members who served during the operation.

 

According to the news channels, the draft contains a claim that, among other things, Netanyahu and Ya’alon did not update the cabinet about Shin Bet warnings of possible military conflicts against Hamas in July 2014 and that Netanyahu’s government never discussed the tunnel threat until Operation Protective Edge itself. Gantz is expected to be criticised for the military evaluations which he submitted to the cabinet.

 

Harsh responses by bereaved families of the operation were also forthcoming upon hearing of the draft. “I want to receive this report, I hear people from Netanyahu’s and Ya’alon’s side saying that this is nonsense. Since when does the government criticise the State Comptroller?” asked Ilan Sagi, the father of soldier Erez Sagi who fell during the 2014 summer operation after Hamas terrorists suddenly emerged from a tunnel close to military stand at which he was stationed.

 

Sagi added during a conversation with Ynet that “the subject absolutely has to come to public light so that everyone can know and see the management of the government. It is important for the families. I hope that the report will be published and they will not plaster over things.”

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.09.16, 15:14
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