Former PM Ehud Barak deems Second Lebanon War a failure

[bemildred]

---

Barak said that the Israeli public is in the midst of a crisis "that stems from the experience of failure during the last summer, and from the cracks in the balance of power between Israel and its enemies." Despite this, Barak added that Israel is still the most powerful country between Libya and Iran.

"The people thirst for worthy leadership. It is the leadership's duty to guide us towards change," Barak said during his the annual commemoration ceremony in honor of the fallen graduates of military boarding schools, held at the Reali School in Haifa.

During his speech, Barak also complimented Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Amir Peretz, and former Israel Defense Forces chief Dan Halutz, saying that they are talented people, albeit lacking in experience.

"When the dust settles over the findings and protocols of the Winograd Committee, we will see many conclusions pertaining to the management of the IDF and the home front, the decision making process, and, above all, the Israeli leadership's vital need for experience at this time," Barak said.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/850672.html