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Olmert: Lindenstrauss guilty of systematic leaks
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert lashes out against State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss in seven-page letter accusing him of ‘unprecedented cynicism’, criminality for leaking details of report on Lebanon war to the press
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert addressed a scathing letter Sunday evening accusing State Comptroller Micha Lindestrauss of unprecedented and contemptuous conduct.
Olmert’s letter, which he sent to Knesset Chairperson Dalia Itzik and Chairman of the State Control Committee MK Zevulun Orlev, demanded they cancel the committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, at which the report is due to be presented and discussed.
The prime minister claimed in the letter that he has shown great restraint for months now regarding the systematic leaks against him coming from the comptroller’s office.
Olmert specifically accused Lindenstrauss of exposing the report’s contents to journalists ahead of its official release. He said Lindenstrauss’ conduct shows “unprecedented cynicism”.
Olmert even demanded an investigation into the comptroller's behavior and claimed the leaks constituted a criminal offense which is punishable by a prison sentence.
“The information coming out of the State Comptroller’s Office are complete falsehoods and have no basis,” Olmert wrote. “I have shown restraint for many months regarding the recurring leaks coming from the comptroller’s office and Lindenstrauss’ behavior. Many matters being examined by the state comptroller are systematically leaked to the newspapers, which even admit so publicly.”
“Shockingly, in this case as well the comptroller or someone affiliated with him revealed the report’s main points to the newspapers before the report was presented to any government bodies for examination - including the prime minister, ministers, security establishment, IDF, police, local authorities and more.
“Regretfully Comptroller Lindenstrauss’ handling of the report on the home front command’s performance shows unprecedented cynicism, a crude violation of procedures and a fundamental violation of the comptroller’s duties,” Olmert wrote in the seven-page letter.
The tensions between the two leaped on Friday over the state comptroller’s intention to publish the interim report on the war in Lebanon without the prime minister’s responses.
Olmert was apparently sent a written questionnaire after he refused to show up in person at Lindenstrauss’ office to answer questions about the home front’s performance during the war. Now, however, the comptroller intends to publish the report before the prime minister has gotten a chance to send in his responses.
Sources in the Prime Minister’s Office called it “scandalous” that Lindenstrauss would dare publish the report without Olmert’s reactions.
Response
"The prime minister continues with his attempts to distract the public from his duty to provide accurate and clear answers to the many questions that have been addressed to him in recent months," the state comptroller's office said in response to Olmert's letter.
In a statement, the comptroller's office accused Olmert of treating the comptroller with disrespect, and of making unfounded claims and allegations.
"The state comptroller will appear before the Knesset State Control Committee and will make his statements there," it concluded.
Fury on the home front
Meanwhile, Home Front Commander Maj.-Gen. Yitzhak Gershon also addressed an angry letter on Sunday to the attorney general and the state comptroller’s legal advisor demanding the meeting be cancelled.
In the letter, Gershon threatened to file a petition against the report’s publication with the High Court of Justice if his demands were not met.
In the letter attained by Ynet, Gershon’s attorney Eldad Yaniv and chief military defense attorney Orna David wrote, “We intend to file a petition to the Supreme Court without delay on the intention to publish the state comptroller’s report on the Home Front’s performance during the (Lebanon) war. This report may bring severe harm to the petitioner (Maj.-Gen. Gershon) and others, while they were withheld the opportunity to respond to its findings.
“Since there is a legitimate concern that the publication of the report – which omits the relevant bodies’ responses - may entail punitive measures, your interference is urgently requested to cancel the committee’s meeting.”
Attila Somfalvi and Amnon Meranda contributed to the report
