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Defense Minister Ehud Barak (Hagai Aharon / Jini) Last update - 22:33 14/01/2008 Barak meets with bereaved families, makes no promises on Winograd By Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Ehud Barak, Israel  Defense Minister Ehud Barak met on Monday with representatives of the bereaved families of soldiers killed during the Second Lebanon War, some of whom asked Barak to sign a document promising to resign his post following the release of the final Winograd Committee report on the war, expected on January 30. Sources in Barak's office said that the meeting lasted about an hour and was conducted in a "good atmosphere." "There was nothing new at the meeting," said Moshe Muskal, whose son Rafanel was killed during the war. "He [Barak] listened, heard and spoke. Nothing thunderous followed the lightning [Barak] and the meeting was like the weather - cold." Advertisement Muskal said that he and a number of other bereaved parents in the meeting - held at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv - expressed their strong criticism against Barak for staying in the government. "He told us that we should be patient. I suppose that he enjoys the fact that he is being courted so intensely these days, on the eve of the release of the report, but he does not have much time to enjoy himself." The bereaved father said that next Wednesday, he and other parents will present to the Knesset the report they have been preparing in recent months, which contrary to the Winograd Committee's document, will include personal recommendations on those involved. "Our report will be titled 'How Heroes Fell,' and we will release it a week before the Winograd report," Muskal said. "After our report and the publication of the Winograd report, we expect that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will no longer be in that role, otherwise we will not go home, and will embark on protest actions. In the terminology of Beitar [Jerusalem] fans  we will burn down the clubhouse," he warned. During a meeting of the Labor faction in the Knesset on Monday, Barak discussed the meeting with the bereaved families. "I respect them very much, as I do their opinion and their thoughts, and I listened to them closely," Barak said. "At the end of the meeting I told them that I will read the Winograd report after it is released, and I shall weigh the situation and I will decide what is right and best for Israel, according to the best of my understanding and my conscience." Related articles: Poll: Labor voters want Barak to remain in gov't after Winograd Bereaved families' group: Kadima whip bars us from party meeting Second Lebanon War probe findings to be released Jan. 30 Bookmark to del.icio.us   Diskin's faulty math The Shin Bet's estimate of civilian casualties was revealed to be too low. Wooing minorities The color of Barack Obama's skin has returned as an issue to the campaign.   1.   Its Time For New Elections Olmert,Barak & Kadima Must Go 08:25  |  Shepherd 15/01/08   2.   BARAK TALKS OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF HIS MOUTH 08:29  |  THE WARRIOR 15/01/08

Today Online Sources: Barak and settlers reach deal on outpost evacuations Responses: 261 Haaretz probe: Shin Bet count of civilian deaths in Gaza is low Responses: 181 PM says he opposes IDF Gaza onslaught for time being Responses: 135 Zvi Bar'el: The Arabs should stop whining Responses: 131 AJ Congress slams 'Ms'. for rejecting ad on top Israeli women Responses: 60 Rosner's Domain Obama "will be the friend we want in the White House" Defending and rejecting the NIE on Iran (WTR) Poll: Does Bush still placing the promotion of democracy at the top of his agenda? Iranian's threaten, the candidates threaten back Did Bush endorse Israel's attack in Syria? (WTR) More Headlines 08:44 PM to aides: Progress in peace talks worth risk to coalition 08:38 Construction begins on new housing units in E. J'lem neighborhood 09:07 Israel offers Anglo doctors $60,000 in immigration incentive 09:03 Ex-U.S. envoy: Slim chance for Mideast peace by end of year 09:09 Historian threatens to reveal Polish atrocities against Jews if tried for slander 09:05 Archaeological discoveries may prove barrier to Jaffa port rejuvenation 09:10 Burglars assault elderly couple, lock them into freezing basement 02:07 Police chief looks to establish training division by 2010 20:26 Israel foils bid to take explosive material into Gaza on aid truck 09:11 University heads: Deal with lecturers in 2 days or semester canceled Previous Editions Select Day 14 jan 13 jan 11 jan 10 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 04 jan 03 jan 02 jan 01 jan

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