Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., January 31, 2008 Shvat 24, 5768 | | Israel Time: 21:18 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 16:55 31/01/2008 PM to appear before Knesset session devoted to Winograd By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service Tags: Dalia Itzik, Gideon Sa'ar  The Knesset will convene on Monday for a special session, which will include the participation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, devoted to the final report issued by the Winograd Committee, Knesset speaker Dalia Itzik said on Thursday. The initiative is the brainchild of Likud MK Gideon Sa'ar, Labor MK Ophir Pines-Paz, and former coalition chairman Avigdor Yitzhaki (Kadima), who gathered the requisite 40 signatures weeks ago in order to ensure that the session would be held not long after the Winograd report findings were made public. Yitzhaki announced Thursday that he was resigning his Knesset seat in protest of Olmert's refusal to resign from his post. Advertisement In recent days, Itzik has been sniping with National Religious Party Chairman Zevulun Orlev over the former's refusal to hold the session Thursday. Opposition MKs read excerpts of the interim Winograd report on Tuesday in a quasi-ceremonial session during which MKs were permitted to take the floor and speak for one minute. Following Monday's session, the Knesset will vote on the prime minister's speech. Both the coalition and opposition are expected to wage a bitter campaign to obtain a majority in the vote. Nonetheless, the session holds symbolic significance only. Opposition factions shelved plans to submit no-confidence motions scheduled for Monday in order to focus their efforts on the special session. The only no-confidence motion expected to be brought to the floor Monday is that of the Arab parties in protest of Attorney General Menachem Mazuz's decision to not pursue criminal charges against police officers involved in the shooting deaths of 13 Arabs during the riots of October 2000. Knesset members criticized the Arab parties for bringing forth a no-confidence motion on a topic on which the government has no influence. Calls said growing within Labor for Barak to quit One day following the release of the Winograd Committee's final report on the Second Lebanon War, Labor Party Chairman Ehud Barak is coming under increasing pressure from rank-and-file Labor Party members to follow through on his campaign pledge to quit the coalition should the prime minister refuse to resign. Aides to Barak told Army Radio on Thursday that the report "isn't as grave as believed," yet the defense minister does find some elements troubling. Given the report's criticisms of Olmert, Barak is in no hurry to declare his intention to remain in the government. Aides say Barak understands that while the report does exonerate Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on a number of aspects, it also finds fault with the premier on others, Army Radio reported. Yet, Barak's circle of advisors appear to be increasingly convinced that resigning from the government at this stage would be irresponsible given that the defense minister is currently the only one who can - and must - correct the inadequacies cited by the Winograd report, Army Radio reported. Since it became clear Olmert has no intention of stepping down, public attention has shifted to the Labor Party chairman, who has now become the focal point of protests spearheaded by reservist soldiers who fought in the war as well as the bereaved families of Israel Defense Forces troops who fell in battle. The fault line within Barak's faction runs between MKs who are demanding Labor pull out of the government - Ophir Pines-Paz, Eitan Cabel, Shelly Yachimovich, and Danny Yatom - and senior Labor members serving as ministers in the cabinet who argue against leaving the coalition, Army Radio said. "I call on Barak to leave the government, to abide by his obligation to the public," MK Pines-Paz said. "I still believe Ehud Barak is cut from the cloth of leaders. Barak must do the intelligent thing." Related articles: Yossi Sarid / High-stakes roller Ari Shavit / The public's turn to speak Yossi Verter / Over to you, Ehud! Haaretz Editorial / Worse than the partial report Israel Harel / Every citizen's responsibility Bookmark to del.icio.us   Painful lessons The IDF has already learnt lessons of the Second Lebanon War. Brothers in guilt 'We are all guilty; is an effective summary of the final Winograd report.   1.   Olmert is the problem he needs to resign NOW 19:08  |  Shepherd 31/01/08   2.   After the Winograd report. 19:14  |  Harold Lane 31/01/08   3.   This should be quite interesting... 20:19  |  bat yam 31/01/08

Today Online Olmert allies: PM won't quit despite damning war probe report Responses: 84 Jewish group to build 200 new homes in East Jerusalem Responses: 149 Winograd: Current use of cluster bombs not in line with int'l law Responses: 61 Israel says Libya unworthy of seat on UN Security Council Responses: 53 Israel Harel: Public shares blame for mistakes in war Responses: 14 Rosner's Domain The campaign for Darfur has achieved all its goals - but one Has the era of Orthodox women rabbis arrived? (WTR) Rosner's Guest: Too many Jewish organizations? Poll: Is there a "constant virulent campaign" against Obama? Back to divestment from Israel (WTR) More Headlines 18:27 Opposition leader Netanyahu: Olmert is incompetent, unfit to lead 20:41 Solana, Blair to travel to Middle East next week to discuss Gaza border crisis 17:30 Lebanon: Winograd war probe report sets scene for future war 20:48 visiting U.S. singer Badu says backs Farrakhan, Palestinian cause 20:40 Brazil judge bans carnival float depicting naked Holocaust victims 15:35 Peretz: Lebanon War was missed opportunity, but was necessary 16:56 IDF kills Palestinian approaching Israel border in southern Gaza 20:50 Cut in Internet cables off Egypt causes outages across Mideast to India 16:53 Egypt blocks Gaza cars from Sinai, pedestrians still entering 13:55 Shekel hits 10-year high against dollar as U.S. interest rates cut 20:58 U.K. conservative angers EU parliament for making Nazi comment 16:18 German authorities charge 22-year-old man with stabbing rabbi 20:18 Jerusalem to build city's first non-Orthodox secular burial site Previous Editions Select Day 30 jan 29 jan 28 jan 27 jan 25 jan 24 jan 23 jan 22 jan 21 jan 20 jan 18 jan 17 jan

Special Offers Advertisement ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations SUPER-TUESDAY U.S. PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY U.S. citizen in Israel vote Democrats-Abroad Global Primary online, in-person. Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved