Peres calls Lebanon war 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.

Peres also said Hezbollah did a better job of handling media coverage than the Israelis did.

The 15-page transcript of his appearance before the commission last November has large swathes deleted by Israel's military censors on security grounds, but nevertheless provides insights into the veteran statesman's thinking.

"The greatest mistake is the very fact of war," he told the commission. "If it had been up to me, I would not have gone into this war." [ MORE ]

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