The prime minister began addressing the commission, headed by retired Justice Eliyahu Winograd, at 9:00 a.m. Thursday morning. Olmert is to be asked by members of the commission to state whether or not he knew before launching the counter-terrorist offensive in the north that the campaign was likely to be a difficult one. If so, he will be challenged to show that the political and defense establishments were sufficiently prepared for the conflict. In addition, the Winograd Commission may question the IDF operations that were undertaken after a ceasefire agreement was drafted in the United Nations.
Called to appear before the five-person commission, Prime Minister Olmert is defending his decision to launch the war in Lebanon, as well as his decision to appoint Labor party leader Amir Peretz as defense minister. Olmert is expected to reiterate his view that the war in Lebanon in the summer was a victory for Israel, including achievements such as bringing about the deployment of the Lebanese army and UN forces in southern Lebanon, as well as the elimination of most of Hizbullah's long-range rocket arsenal. Regarding the decision to go to war, Olmert is expected to point out to the commission members that it was made with the backing of his entire cabinet.
The prime minister has been consulting with his legal adviser, Attorney Eli Zohar, in recent days, ahead of his appearance before the Winograd Commission. However, Olmert is stating his case before the commission unaccompanied by legal counsel, but with a large entourage.
Outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz testified before the commission for seven hours on Sunday. As the IDF conduct of the war was scrutinized by the commission members, Halutz stated that the political echelon was a full partner in all high-level military decisions during the conflict. Leaks from the Halutz testimony indicate that the IDF was not in favor of launching the war, and that the prime minister and defense minister did not initially instruct the army to undertake a far-reaching campaign aimed at crushing the Hizbullah.
Prime Minister Olmert is to be the last of more than 70 people who have appeared before the Winograd Commission since it met for the first time in mid-September 2006. The commission's findings are expected to be released anytime between several weeks from now through mid-March.
When the commission was first established by the government, a cabinet statement affirmed that the administration would abide by the commission's recommendations. Attorney General Menachem Mazuz at the time noted that the commission has no authority to compel the resignation, if such will be called for, of the prime minister who appointed it.
Called to appear before the five-person commission, Prime Minister Olmert is defending his decision to launch the war in Lebanon, as well as his decision to appoint Labor party leader Amir Peretz as defense minister. Olmert is expected to reiterate his view that the war in Lebanon in the summer was a victory for Israel, including achievements such as bringing about the deployment of the Lebanese army and UN forces in southern Lebanon, as well as the elimination of most of Hizbullah's long-range rocket arsenal. Regarding the decision to go to war, Olmert is expected to point out to the commission members that it was made with the backing of his entire cabinet.
The prime minister has been consulting with his legal adviser, Attorney Eli Zohar, in recent days, ahead of his appearance before the Winograd Commission. However, Olmert is stating his case before the commission unaccompanied by legal counsel, but with a large entourage.
Outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz testified before the commission for seven hours on Sunday. As the IDF conduct of the war was scrutinized by the commission members, Halutz stated that the political echelon was a full partner in all high-level military decisions during the conflict. Leaks from the Halutz testimony indicate that the IDF was not in favor of launching the war, and that the prime minister and defense minister did not initially instruct the army to undertake a far-reaching campaign aimed at crushing the Hizbullah.
Prime Minister Olmert is to be the last of more than 70 people who have appeared before the Winograd Commission since it met for the first time in mid-September 2006. The commission's findings are expected to be released anytime between several weeks from now through mid-March.
When the commission was first established by the government, a cabinet statement affirmed that the administration would abide by the commission's recommendations. Attorney General Menachem Mazuz at the time noted that the commission has no authority to compel the resignation, if such will be called for, of the prime minister who appointed it.