Israeli Cabinet Authorizes War Inquiry

[Omaha Steve]

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20060917/D8K6HTH80.html

Israeli Cabinet Authorizes War Inquiry
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Sep 17, 6:08 AM (ET)

JERUSALEM (AP) - The Israeli Cabinet on Sunday authorized an inquiry into the government's handling of the recent war in Lebanon, capping weeks of disagreements over the scope of the investigation.

The inquiry headed by a retired judge will look at decisions by political and military leaders but it will not have full judicial powers to dismiss officials, despite widespread public calls for a broader inquiry.

The Cabinet approved the inquiry by a 20-2 vote, with one abstention, the government said.


Spanish U.N. peacekeepers sit atop their armored personnel carriers at the provisional camp for the Spanish troops in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006, as they prepare to leave for their new base in the village of Taibeh, south of Tyre. Hundreds of Spanish troops landed at this southern Lebanese port on Friday, the latest forces to join the growing peacekeeping mission aimed at cementing the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the government and the army have faced strong criticism for their handling of the 34-day war against Hezbollah, based on accusations that the government accepted a U.N.-brokered cease-fire without crushing the militia or freeing two soldiers captured by Hezbollah at the start of the fighting.

[RangerSmith]

1. facinating.... /nt

[enigma000]

2. Israelis always look at there last wars

That's why they are still there. Their enemies tend not to.

[Kagemusha]

3. Which enemies would that be?

Egypt? Syria? Just wondering.

Edit: Because depending on how you define "enemies", they're still there. I just realize it's a popular claim about Israel but I wonder if it refers to transient politicians or things of more permanence, or armies, or what. Or just meant to boast without context. No big deal to me either way...

[enigma000]

4. I was thinking broadly of many Middle Eastern countries

The ones that previously went to war with Israel, even if they have since signed peace treaties.

Since an inquiry of this sort tends to get people fired, a democracy is more likely to have an inquiry than a dictatorship.

[Kagemusha]

5. I don't see where the Israelis 'stayed' and their enemies' didn't'.

Having said that, I'm not arguing your basic point but.. er, well, you do realize that in this particular case, the inquiry is intended as a firewall to protect the top people from being removed, don't you? It's meant to stop people from being fired, not to encourage it. Of course if useful scapegoats can be found, all the better. I'm not exaggerating - that's what I read when I skim Ha'aretz's English edition.

[enigma000]

9. All I said was the Israelis are still there

I can't comment on the true purpose of the inquiry - I'll just wait and see the results. My understanding is the Israeli public is upset with what has happened. They know that military readiness is a matter of survival.

[daleo]

11. It is too bad the U.S. wouldn't have an inquiry about Bush wars

They haven't exactly worked out too well either.

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[muesa]

12. I try to avoid I/P

But - try this for a start...... to see how the British and French stole the Levant from everybody, carved it among feuding tribes (real WW1 "Balance of Power" politics) to protect "their" Suez Canal, and put various Hashemite cousins on the thrones of the artificial countries that they created.