State Comptroller’s Report May Spark Independent War Commission
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The state comptroller’s investigation into the war in Lebanon some feel may spark the formation of an independent commission of inquiry as is being demanded by many.
State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss has assigned 50 members of his staff to investigate the war in Lebanon, a report that is likely to spark much criticism after it is submitted to the Knesset Audit Committee.
Committee Chair MK (Yisrael Beitenu) Esterina Tratman is expected to use the report to launch her drive towards the establishment of an independent commission, unwilling to accept Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s government-appointed commission with its limited mandate. Tratman has called on the State Comptroller’s Office to submit an interim report, hoping to find the ammunition to arm herself for the battle against the prime minister, who remains adamantly opposed to an independent commission.
Unlike the current government-appointed commission, an independent body would have the authority to oust the prime minister. The current commission is permitted to make such a recommendation, but cannot actually remove Olmert from office.