Shimon Peres steps up to the plate

While not seeming to have the capability to win the Prime Minstership of Israel during his political life, Simon Peres has shown us once again how open Israeli society and political culture can be by criticizing the country's entry into the ill-fated war with Hezbollah last summer

Peres calls the war for what it was, a mistake.

Vice-Premier Shimon Peres told a panel investigating the government's handling of last year's war in Lebanon that Israel's decision to invade was a mistake and the military was unprepared, according to testimony made public Thursday.

Not only does he openly criticize the government but he also implies failure by one of his own party leaders, Amir Peretz by stating the military was unprepared for the war.

Israel, like most countries, has its faults, but conducting a review of the war with political leaders criticizing government policy regarding national security says much about their open society.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appointed the commission, headed by a retired judge, under intense pressure from a dissatisfied public because of the inconclusive war. Hezbollah rained almost 4,000 rockets on northern Israel, but Israel's military failed to achieve the war's stated aims — smashing the guerrilla group and returning two captured soldiers.

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While Peres refused to lay blame, he said the military "was not prepared for this war" and its inconclusive outcome harmed Israel's deterrent posture in the eyes of the Arab world.

"We are perceived today as weaker than we were before," he said.

Let us hope from tragedy hope and peace will arise in an area much in need.