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Netanyahu: War was hasty
Photo: Haim Zach

Netanyahu: Decision to go to Second Lebanon War was hasty

Opposition leader slams Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in testimony to Winograd Commission. Says he was 'very surprised' by decision not to recruit reserve soldiers at start of war

Opposition leader MK Benjamin Netanyahu told the Winograd Commission investigating the failures of the Second Lebanon War that he was surprised with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision not to recruit reserves at the beginning of the fighting.

 

In his testimony, which was made public on Sunday, Netanyahu harshly criticized the prime minister's performance during the war, saying, "I was very surprised, I must say, I was very surprised that reserves were not recruited.

 

"Every lance-corporal that has had any experience in combat, knows that the key to this kind of victory is to bring excess forces to the enemy's weak point….Every day that went by without the recruitment of reserves, made it clear to me that this elementary fact was not clear," the former prime minister said.

 

Since the war, former Defense Minister Amir Peretz's appointment has also been widely criticized, but Netanyahu in his testimony chose to put the bulk of the blame for the war's failures on the prime minister.


Netanyahu arriving at Winograd Commission (photo: Niv Calderon)

 

"I think the defense minister's role is secondary. I think the defense establishment's role is secondary. I believe the responsibility for the State of Israel's security lies in the hands of the captain, the prime minister," Netanyahu said.

 

"Of course the defense minister plays important roles. But in formulating policies, you are elected as prime minister in order to ensure the state's security, and you should be active in formulating the conceptions in between wars, as well as during the war."

 

The Opposition leader said he had only talked with Olmert once in the first days of the war. Regarding the decision to go to war, Netanyahu said, "I thought the prime minister would call me. He didn't call me. He called me once at the start of the war.

 

"The responsibility for the state's security, our national security, lies in the prime minister's hands. You are entrusted with the state and its welfare. The decision to go to war was very hasty, very hasty."

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.09.07, 13:32
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