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Mofaz is to blame By Haaretz Editorial Advertisement "The findings point to a deterioration over dozens of years," said Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Lapidot upon submitting the report. And Mofaz hastened to announce: "Israeli aviation is in an emergency situation." One would have expected someone who used such harsh language to also accelerate the necessary corrective measure. But Mofaz merely chopped off heads, appointing Brig. Gen. (res.) Giora Rom as the Civil Aviation Administration's new director. He did not implement a single one of the committee's recommendations. As far back as 2001, experts from the International Civil Aviation Organization submitted a report that found, among other things, that Israel's CAA lacked both equipment and skilled personnel (particularly control engineers), that it was dismissive of the need to supervise executive jets and air taxis, and that it had no comprehensive licensing system for pilots. But then-transportation minister Ephraim Sneh shelved the report. Since the second Lapidot Committee was set up, and even since it submitted its conclusions and recommendations, there have been several other accidents. The most serious claimed three lives; the least serious ended with a forced landing in the Mediterranean Sea, thanks to the resourcefulness of a skilled pilot. Now the FAA has issued a warning to the public about flight safety in Israel. And the price will be paid by El Al and all Israeli travelers. The next transportation and finance ministers will have to quickly enact a thorough reform of the Civil Aviation Administration to rescue Israel from the developing-world classification into which it has cornered itself. But a failure of this magnitude entails ministerial responsibility, and it falls entirely on one man - the current transportation minister, Shaul Mofaz. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Caught on camera IDF soldier arrested for allegedly shooting gun while rioting with settlers in Hebron. Kadima's election ploy New computer game pokes fun at Netanyahu's reluctance to debate Livni.   1.   The talking cure 08:58  |  Dani Reiss 23/12/08   2.   Don`t blame Mofaz 12:06  |  Yoni R. 23/12/08   3.   Good reason not to vote Kadima. Livni, I am sorry, I go to Barak. 18:31  |  S 23/12/08   4.   THAT`S WHAT SELF SERVE EGO-MANIACS DO! 19:31  |  jewish DOCTOR 23/12/08   5.   the Zig Zaging master of all trades - Mofaz 20:01  |  chop-chop 23/12/08   6.   How long before someone realizes experience matters? 21:41  |  Raymond in DC 23/12/08

Read & React U.K. envoy: Fight against settlements not about boycotting Israel Responses: 148 Mubarak extends rare invite to Livni for talks on Gaza violence Responses: 55 Yoel Marcus: Have politicians pushing for Gaza war forgotten Lebanon debacle? Responses: 60 Olmert to Turkish PM: We must advance toward direct Israel-Syria talks Responses: 62 B. Chefetz: Security fence breeding new generation of suicide bombers Responses: 54 More Headlines 01:25 Israel partially opens Gaza crossings, as Hamas voices interest on renewing truce 05:24 ANALYSIS / Hamas is playing the brinkmanship game in Gaza 04:24 U.S. tells Israel: Don't sell Lebanon for peace with Syria 04:25 Top Lebanon MP Hariri: Talks with Israel not in our national interest 04:37 Arab League chief urges member states to talk to Iran 04:39 ANALYSIS / The sanctions on Iran are not working 05:54 Bush pardons man who gave Israel arms in 1948 war 04:11 The new star of hit TV show 'A Wonderful Country': Ehud Barak 00:43 Settler council appeals for ban on Geneva Initiative campaign 01:49 Olmert hearing over possible Rishon Tours indictment set for February 05:08 Opportunistic politicos make visits to Sderot almost as often as Qassams 03:04 Meretz seeks 'blocking majority' to prevent Netanyahu government 06:23 Ex-Haaretz reporter may get immunity over 1997 murder-suicide case 18:31 WATCH: How do YOU celebrate Hanukkah? Previous Editions Select Day 23 dec 22 dec 21 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec 16 dec 15 dec 14 dec 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec

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