Now I'm definitely voting Kadima!

Ynetnews Reports:

Former IDF Chief Halutz joins Kadima

Former IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz arrived at the Kadima Party headquarter to submit a membership form.

Halutz declared his intention in the past to join the political arena and compete for a place in the Knesset. (Attila Somfalvi)

Halutz, the ex-Chief of Staff who brazenly lead the IDF's less-than-stellar performance in the Second Lebanon War, and who ran to sell his stock portfolio at the start of the war (instead of being in the command center) has joined the party of winners; Kadima.

Some of their impressive top starring members include:

Ehud Olmert (Kadima): former PM, Dozens of criminal charges have been filed against him. All currently in court. Resigned in shame.

Chaim Ramon (Kadima): Convicted sex predator, forced to resign as Justice Minister.

Avraham Hirschson (Kadima) Former Finance Minister, sentenced to 5 years and 5 months in jail for larceny (NIS 2 million -- roughly $508,000), executive theft, fraud, breach of trust, illicitly obtaining funds, money laundering and falsifying corporate documents.

Tzachi HaNegbi (Kadima): Convicted of Perjury, a crime with moral turpitude. He's now trying to improve Israel's society, by running for CEO of a company that wants to bring legalized gambling to Eilat and Arad.

Questions Anyone?

hat-tip: DC

Visiting Israel?
Learn to Shoot at Caliber-3 with top Israeli Anti-Terror Experts!

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד

The Colossal Failures: Olmert, Peretz and Halutz

Israel's most serious and important document in the past 20 years was released today; the Winograd Commission's preliminary report on the mis-management of the second Lebanon war this past summer.

The retired judge said the prime minister:

"...formulated his stance without a second thought, without being presented with a detailed military plan, without considering the complex conditions of fighting in Lebanon."

"There was no organized consultation with others, mainly outside of army, despite his lack of diplomatic and military experience"

"The prime minister is responsible for failing to clearly set out the aims of the war, and for there not being a clear definition of aims of war and ways to achieve them. The war's aims were ambitious, and could not be reached. They were not within reach. All of these factors come together to form a serious failure of judgment, responsibility, and caution"

"The decision to go forward with a harsh, immediate military response was not taken on the basis of a well-planned strategy"

"The IDF's response would result in massive fire on the home front, which the IDF didn't have an answer to. There was no information on the state of the army, despite the need for such information"

"The IDF didn't show creativity in making options available -- It didn't demand that reserves be called up, which would have allowed them to be trained and equipped ahead of a needed ground operation."

On Peretz:

"He has no knowledge or experience on diplomatic, military, government affairs."

He has no knowledge on the use of the military as tool to achieve goals. Nevertheless, he took decisions without consultation, and didn't give enough weight to contrary views. He failed to fulfil his role, and he didn't act out on the basis of a strategic plan."

"He didn't demand or examine the army's plans. He didn't check the methods of the IDF, its plans, and its set targets."

On Halutz:

His personal involvement in government decisions was dominant. He was not ready for the kidnapping. He acted impulsively."

"The chief of staff's culpability is made more severe in light of the fact that he knew that the prime minister and the defense minister had no experience, and his claim that the army was ready and had plan. He had no real answer to the doubts raised over the plan, and didn't present any to the political leadership. In all these areas, the chief of staff failed to fulfill his role, and he did not act with responsibility, good judgment, and professionalism." (quotes via YNET)

OK, so what will happen next?

Olmert and Peretz have announced there isn't any reason for them to resign.

None at all.

Reminds me of a post I wrote during the war this past summer, "A Lament for Leadership."

Israel deserves so much better than the dreck we have leading us.

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael