Israel's Supreme Court Delays Ruling on October 7th Commission Until After Elections

Israel's High Court of Justice, known as the High Court, has postponed a decision on whether to compel the government to establish a state commission of inquiry into the failures preceding the October 7th Hamas attacks. The court ruled that this matter will not be addressed until after the upcoming elections.

The government has been instructed to inform the court by January 15th about its future plans regarding the commission. This effectively pushes the decision to the next government, after which the High Court will reassess the need for its intervention. The judges concurred with the position of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who had previously suggested delaying the decision until a new cabinet is formed. She argued that the outgoing government should act with restraint during the election period, while maintaining her stance that a state commission is the appropriate body for investigating the October 7th failures.

The government had opposed judicial intervention, citing the Knesset's failure to pass the bill for the commission in its second and third readings before recess. Government representatives pledged to continue working on the legislation in the next Knesset session.

The petition for the commission's establishment was filed in June 2024 by the "Zulat" Institute, the Movement for Quality of Government, the "Chomat Maguen" forum, former Knesset members, and relatives of hostages, fallen soldiers, and civilians. Public organizations and families of victims have repeatedly criticized the delays, emphasizing that only a state commission can uncover the truth and prevent future crises.