The testimonies given by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Amir Peretz and former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz to the Winograd Committee must be released to the public before the Passover holiday begins on April 2, the High Court of Justice said Thursday.

The announcement comes after the IDF censor authorized the release of the testimonies, following a petition on the matter submitted by Meretz faction whip Zahava Gal-On. The Winograd Committee is investigated the conduct of the military and political echelons during the Second War in Lebanon.

During deliberations Thursday, the justices expressed criticism of the committee for not yet releasing the protocols of these testimonies and those of other officials who testified previously.

The High Court had ordered the committee to release the protocols in February, also at Gal-On's request.

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