October 7 Families Release Report Blaming Netanyahu for Hamas Attack

Families of victims from the October 7th Hamas attack have released a report, dubbed 'File 7.10,' which they describe as an indictment against successive Israeli governments and their security policies. The report argues that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a central figure in Israeli security policy for the past 15 years, bears responsibility for the failures that led to the massacre.

The families contend that the attack was not an isolated incident but the result of long-term policy failures under various Netanyahu-led governments. They cite specific issues such as avoiding preemptive strikes against Hamas leadership, rejecting recommendations from security officials, allowing Qatari money to flow into Gaza, and ignoring accumulating security warnings, particularly in 2023.

During a press conference, Shelly Meshel-Yogev, mother of a Nova music festival victim, stated, "This is a navigation failure of 15 years, not of one morning. Not listening to warnings, transferring money, and refusing a firm hand against Hamas." She added that the time has come for the difficult questions Netanyahu promised after the war began.

Einav Tsengauker, mother of a released hostage, criticized what she called a campaign of denial and blame-shifting, accusing the government of spreading lies and division instead of taking responsibility. She asserted that the "conception" leading to the failure was not a force of nature but a long-standing policy error and prolonged blindness.

The report also emphasizes that responsibility should extend to the IDF, intelligence agencies, and other security bodies, advocating for a state commission of inquiry. However, it maintains that this does not diminish the accountability of the political echelon, especially Netanyahu, who is currently seeking re-election. Professor Udi Shaham, father of a fallen soldier, argued that Netanyahu's actions have sometimes gone against the advice of senior security officials and that after such a profound policy failure, he must accept full responsibility and should not run in the upcoming elections.

Gail Dickman, cousin of a victim who was kidnapped and murdered in Gaza, stated that the upcoming elections will hinge on the question of whether the person who led the country to disaster should be allowed to lead it again. The families announced their intention to actively campaign over the next six weeks, bringing the issue of accountability and the demand for an inquiry to the public agenda by confronting government representatives in various forums.