Last update - 01:34 12/09/2006
Ex-judge Winograd tapped to head gov't war probe
By Aluf Benn and Yuval Yoaz
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced yesterday the appointment of retired judge Eliahu Winograd as head of the government panel reviewing the events of the war in the North. The Winograd Committee will examine the conduct of the political echelon and of the defense establishment, and Olmert intends to bring its appointment for cabinet approval this Sunday.
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz last night approved Winograd's appointment to the committee, after ascertaining there were no conflicts of interest. A political source in Jerusalem suggested yesterday that the Winograd Committee will focus on recommendations for the future, and less on finding culprits.
The Winograd Committee will replace the Admoni Committee, whose appointment met with difficulties. Two of the members appointed to the Admoni panel, professors Ruth Gavison and Yehezkel Dror, will also serve on the new panel, alongside two reserves majors general with the ground forces, who are waiting for their appointments to be legally vetted.
Former Mossad chief Nahum Admoni, who was Olmert's candidate to head the original committee, will apparently not serve on the new committee.
This will result in a panel of two civilians and two former officers, presided over by a judge.
The Winograd Committee will be appointed under Article 8a of the Basic Law on the Government. Olmert yesterday asked that Acting Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit grant the committee the same powers as a state commission of inquiry to subpoena witnesses and offer immunity for testimony. Sheetrit said he intends "to give the committee maximum authority under the law, so it will have teeth."
The steps that led to the replacement of the review board began last week, in a series of meetings between members of the Admoni Committee and Cabinet Secretary Yisrael Maimon. Three problems arose in those discussions:
* The need to investigate the conduct of the defense establishment, not just the political echelon, following the dispersal of the committee appointed by Defense Minister Amir Peretz.
* Desire to give the committee power to subpoena witnesses and grant them immunity, as in a state commission of inquiry. That would require special legislation - which doesn't stand a chance of passing - or appointing a judge to chair the committee.
* Removal of two candidates, majors general (res.) Yedidia Yaari and David Ivry, because of possible conflict of interest.
Olmert met with potential committee members for a few minutes yesterday, thanked them for agreeing to serve on the committee and said: "I prefer to sit with you as little as possible."
Officials in Olmert's bureau believe the Winograd Committee will win easy approval in the cabinet, and have the support of Shas ministers as well.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni announced yesterday that she will vote in favor of the committee, after hearing explanations from Olmert. It remains unclear whether Peretz will back the Winograd Committee or insist on a state commission of inquiry.