Inquiring minds need to know...

In yesterday's Ha'aretz newspaper, Yoel Marcus weighs in with his thoughts on the current demands for an official state inquiry into the recent Lebanon War. Despite the large number of 'mistakes' made in the execution of the war, since Ehud Olmert had only officially been in power for four months when the war began, Marcus believes that he [Olmert] will be able to escape relatively blameless by claiming that he did the best he could with what he was given. I disagree with Marcus.

1. While it may be true that Olmert was stuck with what he had; empty military storehouses, an IDF hierarchy he didn't appoint, a poorly prepared Home Front infastructure -- inadequate bomb shelters, an imprecise early warning system -- he was interim PM for 120 days following Sharon's debilitating stroke, served as Deputy PM, was in the Security Cabinet ... So while he may not have had full authority to do what he may have wanted, he certainly was aware of all that was to be known.

The issue is also not so much what you know, and it seems clear that he was aware of a great deal, but how you "play your cards." Once the Hezbollah launched its attacks on Israel and sent its bombs into northern Israel, he failed to respond either properly or quickly. Instead of immediately arranging food and other basic necessities for people stuck in the shelters, he waited for volunteers to pick up the slack. Instead of immediately assuring the northern residents of real government assistance -- to repair their damaged homes, to assist businesses with their fixed costs (and either postpone or cancel their tax bills), he waited until the end of the war to start the ball rolling with assistance.

Then there's the issue of how he managed the political aspects of directing the IDF in their war plans and operations. He delayed the call up of reserves, thereby delaying the ground operations until the 'cloud' of a ceasefire was present.

He also needs to take responsibility for appointing and overruling Amir Peretz as Defense Minister. His stewardship was also poor.

They, Olmert and Peretz should resign and accept responsibility for their mishandling of the war effort.

2. The purpose of a state commission is not to only evaluate the current administration. It needs to examine the entire recent period, let's say from the last days of the (first) occupation of S Lebanon until today, the last six or seven years. That previous governments will be scrutinized is necessary. From my perspective, the goal of the commission is to clarify what happened, the entire time-line, and to present its recommendations to avoid its repetition.

The currently proposed government commissions -- one to evaluate the military issues, another to look at the political issues and the third to look at the "Home Front" issues -- is inadequate and more prone to whitewash than clarification. Conflict of interest with members of these committees have already been found (another stupid act by the PM), the committees lack the real power to call and demand real answers from the people who appointed them. In addition to compartmentalizing their charge -- they are not to look at the issues outside of their defined focus -- they also lack the trust of the public.

If Olmert is seriously interested in ensuring the lessons are learned, he'll immediately call upon the President of the Supreme Court to convene a state commission of inquiry. I won't hold my breath.