On Condemning Olmert savage war and hailing Judge Eliyahu Winograd

By Toufic Barakeh

http://sayitonline.net  London: 03 May 2007

Et tu, Brute? “Even you, Brutus?”  Ehud Olmert would have recalled Caesar words as Brutus stabbed him, when Tzipi Livni, Foreign Minister and a senior member of his own party told him face to face  that he should quit  in response to the official report highlighting his failures in last year’s Lebanon war. I would highlight that I have written in this newspaper http://sayitonline.net during the peak of this savage war an article entitled: "This is mad and sad, but won’t win you a war, Mr. Olmert!" Concluding that he could have never won that war, regardless of its embarrassing long term and extensions given by the US administration.

Eliyahu Winograd, an 81-year-old retired judge should be highly commended by the whole world by demonstrating how to carry out a courageous inquiry into a government failure. Such practice, admittedly and regretfully, is lacking in all Arab countries.  Imagine for a moment a panel of wise Arab men or elders delivering a similar message to their president. “They could expect to receive not plaudits, as Winograd has, but at best a lengthy spell in prison”, mused a Guardian leading article writer. By contrast Turkish constitutional court judgment invalidating Abdullah Gul's election was conducted with fear. Justice and democracy may not be served under military threat.

Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, commented on the indictment conducted by  judge Winograd: "It's worth respecting when the enemy's premier forms a commission to investigate the second [Lebanon] war, and it's even more worth respecting when the commission assigned by Olmert convicts Olmert and uses harsh terms in describing his performance and behaviour during the war,"

If Olmert is pressed to quit, Arab governments, along with their peace initiative may have a temporary chance to rejoice.  Shimon Peres, Kadima's acting leader, could be returning to the prime minister's office. As he is approaching his 84th birthday, Arab leaders might as well get themselves fit and groomed to deal with blond Miss Tzipi Livni as Prime Minister!

Visit: http://sayitonline.net