• Lebanon
  • September 3, 2006
  • 3 minutes read

Clashes in “Israel” Over Handling of War

 “Israeli” Defense (War) Minister Amir Peretz broke today with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert by calling for an independent probe into their government’s handling of the recent war in Lebanon – their first serious disagreement since becoming coalition partners four months ago.
Olmert and Peretz have come under intense public criticism for the less-than-decisive outcome of the conflict, which ended with a cease-fire Aug. 14 after 34 days of fighting. The clash over the nature of an inquiry surely will produce tension within the governing alliance led by Olmert and his centrist party, Kadima, and could sow deeper divisions.
Peretz, who leads the left-leaning Labor Party, joined party critics in calling for an independent state commission to examine how “Israel’s” leaders performed during the war. He had been under intense pressure to come out against Olmert’s plan to name an ad hoc government panel that critics said would be too pliant.
The version backed by Peretz would be headed by a judge and carry significant authority to conduct an investigation and recommend changes, including the dismissal of top-level public officials. Such commissions have been named to review wartime controversies in the past, including “Israel’s” role in the massacres of Palestinians in Lebanon’s Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in 1982.
Olmert’s proposal appears likely to gain Cabinet approval, even though Peretz and several other Labor ministers oppose it.
With public dissatisfaction high in “Israel” and protesters calling for the resignations of Olmert, Peretz and the Army Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, the nature of a future inquiry has become politically charged.
Critics accused Olmert of attempting a whitewash in proposing his own examination of the government’s conduct, which would be headed by a former chief of the Mossad spy agency.
Olmert, who has characterized the military campaign as a victory while conceding shortcomings, said a full-blown investigation by an independent state commission could take years and that “Israel” needed to make any needed reforms quickly.
Olmert said a separate panel would look into the army’s role.
The impact of the disagreement on the coalition’s future remains unclear. For now, the prime minister and Peretz share an interest in keeping it together.
Labor is Kadima’s biggest partner; without it, Olmert would have to reach out to right-wing and religious parties to keep a parliamentary majority. Peretz, a former union leader, brought Labor into the alliance to press for territorial concessions in the West Bank and boost government spending for social welfare.
Peretz, who gained the defense (war) minister’s job despite lacking a military background, faces an array of dissenters inside his party, who have seized on lapses during the Lebanon conflict to challenge his leadership. “Israeli” commentators said he may see a formal state inquiry as the best way to rescue himself.
His rivals in Labor have accused him of abandoning the party’s emphasis on government help for the needy. A showdown over the national budget for next year could prove a more serious challenge to the alliance with Kadima.
There has been speculation in the “Israeli” media that Peretz might be shifted from the defense (war) minister’s job to another post, such as finance minister.