International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, 30 Jan 2008

In its final report on the Second Lebanon War released late Wednesday, the special Winograd Committee was less sharp in its criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert than in its interim report last April, boosting the ‘relieved’ premier’s chances of fending off growing calls for his resignation.

In its most critical finding, the Winograd report concluded that when Olmert ordered a last-minute land offensive into south Lebanon to improve Israel's bargaining position at the UN, "it was not a failure to embark on the ground operation, despite its limited achievements and painful price... [and the fact it] did not achieve any military objectives."

This crucial assessment will help Olmert deflect the most serious criticism of his performance, as bereaved families of some the 33 IDF soldiers killed in that key operation during the last 60 hours of the war have been at the forefront of the campaign to force him from office.

After delivering their final report to Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak this afternoon, the committee held a press briefing where the chairman, retired judge Eliyahu Winograd, explained at length the conclusions of their probe into the conflict with Hizbullah 18 months ago.

"Israel did not win the war," Winograd said in his prepared summary, calling it a "major missed opportunity" to deal a lasting blow to Hizbullah. There were "serious failings" in the army command and in the communications structure between the political and military echelons. The IDF did not provide an effective response to Hizbullah's rocket fire on Israeli civilians, Winograd added.

"Israel's decision to go to war without the necessary preparations was a severe flaw," Winograd determined. He noted the report's heaviest criticism is leveled at the IDF senior command, even while he praised the ground, naval and air forces for their bravery and determined performance during the 34-day conflict.

Winograd said the final report does not hold specific individuals responsible for the war's failings, though this does not mean there is no personal responsibility. This contrasted with the Committee’s interim report last Spring, which was a sharp rebuke aimed directly at Olmert for his "severe failures," as well as at defense minister Amir Peretz and former IDF chief-of-staff Dan Halutz -- both of whom later stepped down.

"We single out these three because it is likely that had any of them acted better -- the decisions in the relevant period and the ways they were made, as well as the outcome of the war, would have been significantly better," the interim report read.

After emerging relatively unscathed from today’s final report, Olmert’s office said they were "satisfied" with the findings and would take its recommendations seriously. Olmert's spokesman, Jacob Galanti, said they were "breathing a sigh of relief."

Olmert’s supporters quickly came to his defense, with Kadima cabinet minister Ruhama Avraham insisting that, "The opposition must apologize to the public, the prime minister and the bereaved families."

But opponents left and right were still demanding Olmert’s resignation. "The Winograd Committee placed clear responsibility on the political echelon, which is led by the prime minister, and he must take personal responsibility and quit," an official Likud statement read.

Even Hizbullah was quick to respond to the report's publication, saying that it was proof of Israel's failure during the war. "The report confirms that which was known by Hizbullah for a long time... the Israeli military suffered a defeat," the AFP news agency quoted the terrorist militia as saying.

Despite inclement weather, several protests are planned by bereaved families and IDF reservists in the wake of the Winograd report, including a rally this evening outside Barak’s home demanding that he keep his promise and take his Labor faction out of the government coalition.

Copyright © 2007 International Christian Embassy Jerusalem