Gantz Ally Aliza Bloch Advocates Broad Government for Oct. 7 Inquiry

While Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity party, has consistently pushed for a state commission of inquiry into the October 7th Hamas attacks since leaving the government, a newly surfaced recording reveals a different perspective from Aliza Bloch, a recent addition to his party. In a Zoom call with activists prior to joining Gantz, Bloch, then with the "Achdut" party, expressed concerns about the potential for a politically compromised investigation.

Bloch argued that a narrow government, whether led by Benjamin Netanyahu or the left, would lead to a commission that a significant portion of the public would not recognize or accept, thus undermining trust in the investigative and learning process. She stated, "We have lost the trust of the investigation and meaningful learning here." Bloch emphasized her insistence on a broad government, suggesting that key decisions, including the formation of an inquiry commission, the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men, and educational reforms, should be made by consensus rather than by imposing decisions on the opposing side.

She elaborated that a broad government would ensure that issues like the inquiry commission, its structure, and its scope, covering military, political, and legal echelons, and hearing from bereaved families, are addressed through agreement. This approach, she believes, is the essence of a government built on consensus.

Gantz himself has been unequivocal on the matter, stating in November 2025 that any proposal for a compromise on a state commission of inquiry would be met with a firm "no," asserting that he would not compromise on Israel's security or the investigation into the failures that led to the October 7th disaster. He dismissed rumors of opposition parties considering compromises involving the Knesset or a political parity mechanism appointing commission members, reiterating his stance that such proposals would be rejected.

The National Unity party issued a statement reinforcing Gantz's position, declaring that a state, not political, commission of inquiry must be established by the next government. They asserted that only a broad, Zionist government could receive a mandate from the people to establish such a commission for a thorough investigation and meaningful lessons learned, preventing the October 7th events from becoming a political debate.