Winograd Commission: PM didn't ask us about candidates
Members of committee probing war refuse to answer questions regarding IDF officers up for top military position following resignation of Lt. Gen. Halutz; say Olmert did not ask for their advice
Members of the Winograd Commission – charged with investigating the failings of the political and security echelon during the second war in Lebanon – made it clear on Wednesday that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert did not seek their recommendations regarding possible candidates for the position of chief of staff following the resignation of Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz.
Despite previous publications the committee said that it would not address related questions should they be directed to them as the committee's legal mandate does not give it the authority to deal with the authorization of such appointments.
In addition, the committee is expected to collect testimony from figures who may be influenced by any such recommendation handed down by the committee.
The sole body with the exclusive government given authority to deal with the appointment of a chief of staff is the committee headed by former High Court Justice Yaakov Tirkel.
Tirkel's committee will have access to the findings of the Winograd committee and it may choose to take them into account. Tirkel's committee with ultimately authorize the candidacy submitted by Defense Minister Amir Peretz.
Justice Tirkel spoke with Ynet on Wednesday and explained that the committee authorizes the appointment of the chief of staff, head of the Mossad, commissioner of the prison authority, head of the Shin Bet, governor of the Bank of Israel and his deputy.
