By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister EhudOlmert said on Sunday that Winograd report presents an opportunity to mend the failings during the 2006 Lebanon War, local daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported on its website.
Olmert told the weekly cabinet meeting that the final Winograd report, published last Wednesday, “presents an opportunity to mend the failings that it exposed and move Israel ahead so it will be prepared for any security, political or social challenges that may arise.”
“It revealed severe failings in the conduct of Israeli society and in the conduct of our political and military echelons,” he said.
Olmert told the Cabinet that the report is no cause for celebrations, saying that “just as the war report stated, there were achievements along with the failures and significant successes along with the mistakes.”
“We must not underestimate the failures or overstress the successes, and we must always remember that there are those who pay an unbearable price,” he added.
According to the prime minister, Israel began implementing the lessons drawn from the war immediately following its conclusion. Olmert said that he was “confident in the ability of the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) and the security establishment,” adding that “(Defense Minister Ehud) Barak and (Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen.) Gabi Ashkenazi are capable of preparing the army for any future challenge.”
Retired Justice Eliyahu Winograd, who headed the investigation into the Lebanon war, told Yedioth Ahronoth that the committee stood by its harsh statements.
“The public needs to read the report and do what it deems necessary afterwards. We have said our piece,” he said.