Olmert has decided to appoint former Justice Eliyahu Winograd to head the government committee into the government and military's handling of the recent round of hostilities between Israel and Hizbullah terrorists in Lebanon. Olmert is looking for public support to avoid an independent state commission of inquiry which would be headed by a retired judge appointed by the president of the Supreme Court.
The difference between the two types of investigative bodies is significant. Evidence uncovered by a government committee headed by a judge is not allowed to be used in testimony for subsequent court cases. Under the law, evidence uncovered by an independent state commission of inquiry can be used in later legal proceedings.
Former Mossad Intelligence Agency Director Nachum Admoni, the previous candidate for the position, recommended Winograd whose appointment was authorized by Attorney General Menachem Mazuz. The former president of Tel Aviv Magistrate Court has already headed a number of public commissions.
Other committee members will include prominent law professor Ruth Gavison, Yehezkel Dror, and Yedidya Ya’ari, a former Israel Navy commander. Two more members are still needed to complete the committee, after the Supreme Court disqualified two candidates nominated by Olmert, citing a possible “conflict of interest.”
Sources said that Olmert may bring the proposal for a Cabinet vote tomorrow (Tuesday). The Supreme Court says it will rule in three weeks on petitions for it to order an independent inquiry.
The difference between the two types of investigative bodies is significant. Evidence uncovered by a government committee headed by a judge is not allowed to be used in testimony for subsequent court cases. Under the law, evidence uncovered by an independent state commission of inquiry can be used in later legal proceedings.
Former Mossad Intelligence Agency Director Nachum Admoni, the previous candidate for the position, recommended Winograd whose appointment was authorized by Attorney General Menachem Mazuz. The former president of Tel Aviv Magistrate Court has already headed a number of public commissions.
Other committee members will include prominent law professor Ruth Gavison, Yehezkel Dror, and Yedidya Ya’ari, a former Israel Navy commander. Two more members are still needed to complete the committee, after the Supreme Court disqualified two candidates nominated by Olmert, citing a possible “conflict of interest.”
Sources said that Olmert may bring the proposal for a Cabinet vote tomorrow (Tuesday). The Supreme Court says it will rule in three weeks on petitions for it to order an independent inquiry.