Israel’s latest inquiry into last year’s Lebanon war on Wednesday blasted Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for “intolerable” failures in protecting civilians during the conflict, dealing yet another blow to the beleaguered premier. In a scathing report, State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss said Olmert, along with government and army top brass “failed severely in the decision-making process, their assessment and their treatment of the home front during the Lebanon war. The severe failures, unfortunately, reached intolerable levels.” Olmert’s office slammed the remarks as unfounded personal views by the government watchdog. Aside from Olmert, Lindenstrauss pointed the finger of blame at former defence minister Amir Peretz, former army chief Dan Halutz and home front commander Yitzhak Gershon. “The leaders of the country invested most of their time in the war efforts, and not in treating the homefront which was exposed to extensive attack from the outset of the war,” said the 582-page report, which Lindenstrauss presented to the speaker of parliament.
In Israel, both the government and army are responsible for providing services to civilians in time of war, from maintenance of public shelters, to rescue, medical and basic administrative services.