Israeli PM knew shelters were inadequate

JERUSALEM, July 18 (UPI) -- A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert said the prime minister knew Israeli bomb shelters were inadequate when he decided to go to war with Lebanon.

Ra'anan Dinur, director general of the Prime Minister's Office, made the comment at a news conference Wednesday, following the publication of the state comptroller's report on how well the home front was prepared for and how well it functioned during last summer's war, Ynetnews reported Wednesday.

The report criticizes Olmert, former Defense Minister Amir Peretz, government ministers, former Chief of Staff Dan Halutz and Home Front Command chief Maj. Gen. Yitzhak Gershon for making numerous mistakes during the Second Lebanon War.

Olmert fired back, however, that the report is "spotted with tempestuous remarks reflecting personal opinions."

"The prime minister knew about all the dangers facing the home front, including that of Hezbollah's missiles... the readiness of the shelters was one of the most important subjects discussed but we had to weigh the risks facing us now against those facing us in the future, should we decide not to act," Dinur said, noting numerous improvements have since been made based on last year's conflict.