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Olmert needs to account for his actions

"Criticism of the government is mounting, and for good reason. The government entered Lebanon War II in a hasty and reckless manner. The goals of the war were not properly defined, the hidden risks were not sufficiently clarified and the implications were not fully analyzed. The government led the country into a critical strategic maneuver without being aware of its consequences or foreseeing its outcome. When the war is over, the prime minister will be called to account for his actions. He has proven himself a lightweight and an irresponsible statesman, unworthy of high public office.

Criticism of the army is also mounting, and for good reason. The Israel Defense Forces have chalked up failures in the air, on the ground and at sea. The army did not have vital intelligence, and was not even aware of this. It did not have a forceful response to Hezbollah's rockets, and was not even aware of this. The army dragged the politicians into a decisive war without having the means to win it. When the fighting is over, the high command will be called to account for its actions."

This nuanced piece [the full article here] from Haaretz hopefully reflects a wider, considered, view in Israel. By all accounts the majority of Israelis still back the Government's actions - at least when surveyed. How long that will last in the current bombardment of Israel, losses of Israeli military personnel and the seemingly intractible on-going fighting in Lebanon may be a moot point.

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