Last update - 00:00 31/10/2006
State Comptroller begins to probe Halutz over Lebanon war
By Zvi Zrahiya, Haaretz Correspondent
State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss on Tuesday began investigating Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz and the IDF General Staff over their conduct during the recent war in Lebanon.
In the coming days, Lindenstrauss will also call in for questioning Defense Minister Amir Peretz, Public Security Minister Avi Dichter and Interior Minister Roni Bar-On, among others. The state comptroller also intends to investigate Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Lindenstrauss and the State Control Committee questioned Halutz as part of the report he is consolidating on political and military conduct during the war. The comptroller has informed the Knesset that he intends to complete the report by April 2007. The investigations will continue through the end of the year.
The investigation will comprise 24 subjects, including provision of emergency supplies and public relations. The comptroller said some 50 employees in his officer were involved in collecting evidence from the investigation.
Meretz MK Avshalom Vilan, who heads the reserves lobby in Knesset, lambasted the comptroller for planning to present the report nine months after the event, while the IDF itself was producing its interim report by the end of the month. Presenting the report so many months after the IDF's would nullify the purpose of the comptroller's work, Vilan said.