The Winograd Report: Key Players

Ehud Olmert, prime minister

Mr Olmert reccently told a French newspaper he felt "indestructible". But with single-digit approval ratings and fighting a list of scandals, Mr Olmert, 66, is in a difficult position after a year in office. He has fought calls to resign but still faces criticism over the war. He said he wanted to win the return of the two captured Israeli soldiers and dismantle Hizbullah. He failed on both counts. He also denies corruption allegations. Last week, the state auditor recommended a criminal inquiry into a deal Mr Olmert made when he was trade minister. He is also alleged to have profiteered from the sale of at least two properties.

Amir Peretz, defence minister

Mr Peretz, a former head of Israel's trade union federation, has perhaps faced the most criticism. He was condemned for becoming defence minister with little military experience, and in his own Labour party for not taking a post that would let him make socio-economic reforms. Mr Peretz, 55, has resisted calls for his resignation but is facing Labour leadership elections. He said if he won he would seek the finance portfolio but polls suggest he will be beaten into third place by the former prime minister Ehud Barak and Ami Ayalon, former head of Israel's security services. Mr Peretz has refused to admit any wartime mistakes.

Dan Halutz, former chief of staff

Mr Halutz, 55, quit in January — the most senior figure to resign. A former air force commander, he had been chief of staff for a year when the war began. He was criticised for planning an air campaign. On the first day of the war, after the Israelis were captured by Hizbullah, Mr Halutz said his military would target infrastructure and "turn back the clock in Lebanon by 20 years" if they were not freed. He spoke of taking "responsibility" but admitted no mistakes in his handling of the war, although he was critical of some generals. He has since kept a low profile.

Eliyahu Winograd, chair of committee

Mr Winograd, a retired judge, was not the first choice to head the committee. The job had been given to a former chief of Mossad, Israel's secret service. Then last September the Israeli government bowed to public pressure to widen the inquiry's remit and made Mr Winograd, 81, its head. A judge for 24 years, he was president of the Tel Aviv district court and an acting supreme court judge. He has chaired commissions on pension funds, university tuition fees and the fate of the missing Israeli airman Ron Arad. His five committee members were chosen by Mr Olmert and his cabinet.