Last update - 00:00 26/07/2007
Ramon: I voted for invasion of Lebanon in order to support PM
By Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondent
Wartime cabinet member Haim Ramon opposed Israel's invasion of Lebanon, yet voted in favor of the operation in order to show support for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, according to testimony published Thursday.
The current vice premier from Kadima, who served as justice minister during the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah last summer, told the Winograd Committee investigating the Second Lebanon War that he thought the government must stay united behind Olmert.
"I thought it would seriously hurt his authority and capability to lead during wartime, if there were even a large minority in the government who were opposed," Ramon said. "With a heavy heart and feeling very disturbed, I voted in favor of the proposal brought to the cabinet."
Instead of launching a ground operation, Ramon proposed striking Lebanese infrastructure targets from the air and sea, but his suggestion was turned down by the cabinet.
"After four or five days [of bombing] Lebanon would have become a country with no water, no electricity, no fuel and I think the public would have felt that a country that attacks us or allows others to attack us, pays a heavy price," Ramon said.
"It could have sent a message to all the Arab peoples and heads of states," he continued. "That message, I'm afraid, was missed. In my opinion, that was deterrence."
Ramon admitted to the probe that he felt ambiguity over Israel's achievements in the war.
"I think there are certain limited gains from the war in the short-term by removing Hezbollah from the border. However, Hezbollah still exists, there is still a missile threat by a terror group against Israel," he said.