2006 Israeli reserve soldiers' protest

:"Main article 2006 Lebanon War"The 2006 Israeli reserve soldiers' protest was a protest movement which called for the resignation of the government and the establishment of a state commission of inquiry (the highest form of inquiry commission in Israel, equivalent to a Royal Commission) into what they argued were crucial failures experienced during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict. From late August to early October 2006, some of its followers were stationed in a tent city besides the Israeli government building, and several large demonstrations were carried out to protest against the conduct of the government before, during, and after the war. [ [http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-08-23-israel-protest_x.htm "Israeli reservists protest, call for resignations"] , "USA Today", August 23, 2006]

Origin of reserve soldiers' protest

The protest began on August 21 after a dozen reservists who served on the southern Lebanese military front, situated their demonstration at a park besides the government building, calling for the government's resignation. [ [http://www.upi.com/InternationalIntelligence/view.php?StoryID=20060821-040035-9815r "Analysis: Reservists demand war probe"] , "United Press International", August 21, 2006] The protest grew in momentum over several days, and as of August 25 it consisted of several hundred demonstrators, [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3295083,00.html "Hundreds support protesting reservists"] , "Ynetnews", August 24, 2006] including the influential Movement for Quality Government. On August 24, several parents of Israel Defense Forces soldiers killed in the conflict joined the march. [ [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3295464,00.html "Paratroopers demand fewer casualties"] , "Ynetnews", August 24, 2006] Over 2,000 people participated in the march on August 25. [http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ai=31&ar=yoman "Yoman"] , "Israel Broadcasting Authority", August 25, 2006 he icon]

Prospects for a state commission

Yaakov Hasdai, a member of the Agranat Commission, the national commission which investigated the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War, said that he "support [s] the call for the resignation of the top political echelon and the establishment of an inquiry commission" While the impact the protest will have on the Israeli government remained uncertain, [ [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1154525941000&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull "Experts mixed on threat to gov't posed by reservists' protest"] , "Jerusalem Post", August 25, 2006] Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in a visit to Nahariya promised to invest over 2.5 billion dollars in northern Israel and to establish a commission of inquiry — but fell short of expressly calling it a "state commission" (legally, only a state commission has authority that can supersede the government). [ [http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20246678-5006506,00.html "Olmert promises $2/6bn for rebuild"] , "Daily Telegraph", August 25, 2006] Olmert was expected to announce what type of commission will be formed within a short while. [ [http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/world/15335330.htm "Israeli reservists call for resignation of Olmert"] , "Chicago Tribune", August 22, 2006] On August 25, the Israel Broadcasting Authority reported that a state commission of inquiry is appeared likely to be formed within several days. Olmert was set to decide whether to appoint a governmental commission of inquiry or a more substantive state commission, or some other formula by August 27, [ [http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/spages/754979.html "Olmert will decide tonight what commission to investigate war failures, if at all"] , "Haaretz", August 27, 2006 he icon] .

On September 9, tens of thousands participated in a demonstration calling for a state commission, which was held in Rabin Square, Tel Aviv. Among those who delivered speeches were Yossi Sarid and Moshe Arens. [ [http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/spages/760548.html Demonstration in Tel Aviv calling for inquiry commission; delays in Admoni commission nomination"] , "Haaretz", September 9, 2006 he icon] Much of the following efforts to establish mechanisms to investigate the war, were undertaken while the protests were active, and their responses to these attempts on the part of Olmert's government, played an important role in shaping public opinion and arguably, the eventual widening mandate of the commission which was formed.

Inspection probes

On August 28, Olmert announced that there will be no independent state or governmental commission of inquiry. Instead, two internal inspection probes were to be created, one to investigate the political echelon and another to examine the IDF, while a third investigation of the Home Front to be possibly undertaken by the State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss (although Lindenstrauss, to the "amazement" of the PMO, [ [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1154525966957&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull "PMO 'amazed' at comptroller's public complaints"] , "Jerusalem Post", August 29, 2006] said that he already has "the authority to investigate the war in Lebanon" and that he "report [s] only to the Knesset" [ [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3297041,00.html "State Comptroller: Don’t need PM’s authorization to probe war"] , "Ynetnews", August 29, 2006] ). These were to have a far more limited mandate and narrower authority than a single commission headed by a retired judge. Olmert stated that "we do not have the luxury to submerge in investigating the past. Anyone honestly knows that this is not what would fix the shortcomings." Haaretz noted that Olmert feared an inquiry commission could end up recommending he resigns the prime ministership. [http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/spages/755787.html "Olmert: An inquiry commission will not be formed, we do not have the luxury to submerge in investigating the past"] , "Haaretz", August 28, 2006 he icon] The Israeli media was largely critical over the probes. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5294740.stm "Israeli press sceptical over probes"] , "BBC", August 29, 2006] Reactions from the protestors were wholly negative.

The governmental and military inspection probes were to be chaired by former director of Mossad, Nahum Admoni, and former Chief of Staff, Amnon Lipkin-Shahak, respectively. The chairmanship of the governmental probe was originally offered to former Minister of Education, Amnon Rubinstein, but he refused. Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz has already appointed a military inspection probe headed by Shahak, but it ceased operating after a day due to public criticisms. It appears it will be revived in its hitherto composition. The third probe to examine the Home Front was expected to be announced soon thereafter. What was decisive about Olmert's decision was that the commissions were to have limited powers of investigation, censure, and that the political, military and civilian realms were to become split. Critics argued that these inspection probes amounted to a whitewash, due to their limited authority, limited investigatory scope, their self-appointed basis, and that neither will be headed by a retired judge. [ [http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ai=31&ar=mabat "Mabat"] , "Israel Broadcasting Authority", August 28, 2006 he icon] On August 30, about one hundred Movement for Quality Government members protested in front of the house of the law Professor Yaakov Dror, a member of the governmental inspection probe, calling on him to refuse to participate. Dror told to the protestors that he "respects [their] opinion, but they should respect [his] ," and said that he is in favour of Olmert's plan. [ [http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/spages/756748.html "Protestors in front of Dror's house: refuse to participate in commission"] , "Haaretz", August 30, 2006 he icon]

On September 11, Olmert's appointment of retired judge Eliyahu Winograd to replace Admoni (who was to remain a member, but later resigned) as chair of a governmental commission, was approved by the Attorney General Menachem Mazuz. It Winograd is a well-respected former judge who has headed various commissions in the past, most recently in March 2005 in an IDF Probe to review the authority of the Military Censor. The Movement for Quality Government has said that "Olmert continues a retreat and delay battle" and called on Winograd to decline the appointment, stating that "only a state commission headed by a judge appointed by the Supreme Court is the answer." [ [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=111829 "Winograd to Head War Investigatory Commission"] , "Arutz Sheva", September 11, 2006] [ [http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/spages/761407.html "Winograd will head the inspection commission; Sheetrit: I'll ensure that the commission "will have teeth"] , "Haaretz", September 11, 2006 he icon] The Winograd Commission, however, ended up being given a wider mandate than the earlier probe, which is said to amount to "de facto" state commission investigatory powers.

Labour opposition to inspection probes

These critics included, from the moderate left: the chair of Meretz-Yachad Yossi Beilin asked that no one testifies before these commissions, while the Movement for Quality Government called them "joke commissions" (in Hebrew joke is "bdicha" and inspection is "bdika," so this is a word play). From the right-national block: Likud stated "it was irrational that the Prime Minister appoints a commission that would investigate the Prime Minister." Former National Religious Party chair Knesset member Ephraim Eitam said that "this an ugly move by the government to escape its responsibility." From the centre-left, several Labour party ministers said they will resist the decision. Minister of Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ophir Pines-Paz said the commissions "do not have clear authorities," while Minister without portfolio in charge of the Israel Broadcasting Authority and General Secretary of Labour,
Eitan Cabel said that he would call to other Labour ministers to oppose the formula. Haaretz reports that even Minister of Defense and Labour chair Amir Peretz might be considering opposing Olmert and calling for the establishment of a state commission. [ [http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/spages/756140.html "Ministers in Labour: we will oppose the decision against an inquiry commission; Peretz deliberating how to proceed"] , "Haaretz", August 29, 2006 he icon] On August 31, Peretz announced that he opposes Olmert's plan and is in favour of a state commission of inquiry. [ [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1154525981926&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull "Peretz backs state inquiry commission"] , "Jerusalem Post", August 31, 2006] Despite this opposition, [ [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3297425,00.html "Majority in Labor in favor of state inquiry"] , "Ynetnews", August 30, 2006] eventually, Labour decided to support Olmert's plan, finding the Winograd Commission worthy although still preferring a formal state commission.

Winograd Commission

:"Main article: Winograd Commission"On September 18, the Winograd Commission convened for the first time after having met final approval by the government the day before. [ [http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=112222 "Winograd Commission to Convene on Monday"] , "Arutz Sheva", September 18, 2006] On that day, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz stated that the commission does not have the authority to recommend the resignation of the Prime Minister. [ [http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=112281 "Winograd Committee Cannot Oust PM"] , "Arutz Sheva", September 18, 2006] The next day, the Movement for Quality Government submitted a petition to the Supreme Court, seeking an injunction to disqualify the Winograd Commission. [ [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=112349 "Petition to Disqualify Winograd Commission "] , "Arutz Sheva", September 19, 2006] On September 20, reservists heckled Olmert during his Rosh Hashana speech. [ [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1157913671321&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull "Hecklers interrupt Olmert's speech"] , "Jerusalem Post", September 20, 2006] The Commission held preliminary meetings with key witnesses (many of whom top political and military decisionmakers) for about a week. For the next several weeks it reviewed material while deciding on the course and direction of its investigation. On November 2, it began hearing testimonies.

Criticisms of government failures

The demonstrators and other critics alleged significant shortcomings on both the military (led by the Northern Command) and civilian (led by the Home Front Command) fronts. On the latter, this involves the lengthy confinement to inadequate shelters and a lack of evacuation and government-led support, especially for those most in need. On the former, this involved criticisms from the logistical to the operative level. The reserve divisions especially, complained of a lack of or deficient equipment and basic necessities. The Israeli Chief of Staff, Dan Halutz, himself involved in a scandal over the sale of his investment portfolio three hours after the war began, admitted failures. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5282548.stm "Israel army chief admits failures"] , "BBC", August 24, 2006] Earlier in the week, IDF Spokesperson clarified that a comment attributed to Israeli Technological and Logistics Directorate chief, Brigadier-General Avi Mizrahi, where he reportedly said that "if our fighters deep in Lebanese territory are left without food or water, I believe they can break into local Lebanese stores to solve that problem", was not made by him. [ [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/750463.html IDF: Logistics chief didn't say looting of Lebanese shops okay] , "Haaretz", August 15, 2006] On August 24, Minister of Defense Amir Peretz, called on the IDF to begin developing an anti-rocket system, potentially reviving the Nautilus Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser program which Israeli military experts such as Aluf Yitzhak Ben Yisrael had been calling for since its cancellation. [ [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3295448,00.html "Peretz to IDF: Develop anti-rocket system"] , "Ynetnews", August 24, 2006]

Accusations of a right-national agenda

The General secretary of Peace Now, Yariv Oppenheimer, accused the reservists of serving a right-national agenda. The reservists denied this charge, and in turn, pointed to Oppenheimer's affiliation with the Labour Party. [ [http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/spages/754876.html "Organizers of reservist protest: we are not operated by the right"] , "Haaretz", August 26, 2006 he icon] There were others who argued that the protests were backed by right-national forces, but no conclusive evidence was offered to show the prevalence of any political affiliation among protestors.

Reserve soliders and Movement for Quality Government

Throughout the protests' duration, the reservists and the Movement for Quality Government were divided by the extent of their demands, with the latter calling for the establishment of a state commission, while the former, joined by parents of soldiers killed in the war, also demanding the government's immediate resignation.

Decline and inactivity

By late September—early October, the protests increasingly dissipated, and virtually disappeared by the time the Winograd Commission began hearing testimonies on early November, it had virtually disappeared. Its impact on the manner in which post-war accountability was sought and will end up being pursued, remains arguably decisive. Following the Winograd Commission's preliminary report in April 30, 2007, on May 4, tens of thousands of protestors gathered to call on Olmert to resign. [ [http://washingtontimes.com/world/20070503-104139-2429r.htm "Tens of thousands rally for Olmert's resignation"] , "Washington Times", May 4, 2007] The demonstration was less seen as reservist-dirven. The reservist groups continued to criticize the government for its "irreparable harm." The chairman of Baltam, Roee Ron, stated that:

To our surprise, after the Second Lebanon War and the Winograd Report, the government and the IDF are advancing a law against reserve duty. The preparedness of the reserve units must be taken care of, and reserve duty should only entail training. Plus, the harm to the soldiers' economic situation, employment and education must be dealt with." [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3396436,00.html "Reservists: Next war we'll dodge draft"] , "Ynetnews", May 5, 2007]

Some reservists have threatened to dodge the draft if key reforms are not implemented.

References