Netanyahu Government Delays State Inquiry into October 7 Failures for Three Years

Despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's immediate post-October 7 pledge that "everyone will have to give answers. I too," his government has repeatedly avoided establishing a state commission of inquiry. The government has discussed the demand for such a commission four times since early 2025 but has not formed one. Instead, a private bill for a politically appointed investigative committee, initiated by the coalition, passed its first reading in the Knesset. Public opinion polls consistently show a strong preference for a state commission, with 55% favoring it over a government-appointed one (22%). The Supreme Court has pushed the decision to January 2027, after the upcoming elections.

Following the October 7th attacks, Prime Minister Netanyahu promised a thorough investigation into the failures, stating in October 2023 that "this failure will be examined to the end. Everyone will have to give answers. I too." Several ministers publicly supported a state commission of inquiry, with some specifying it should be formed after the war. Historically, Israeli governments have established state commissions of inquiry within weeks of national disasters, such as the Agranat Commission after the Yom Kippur War and the Cohen Commission during the First Lebanon War.

However, the current government has postponed the decision four times since early 2025, citing the ongoing war in Gaza. In November, the government decided to advance an "independent" commission and tasked a ministerial team with formulating recommendations. Instead of a government-led initiative, a private bill championed by MK Ariel Kallner passed its first reading. This bill proposes a committee of six members approved by 80 Knesset members, or appointed by the Knesset Speaker and opposition leader if that majority isn't reached. Notably, the bill does not require a judge to head the committee and allows it to function with as few as three members, potentially appointed solely by the coalition.

The coalition's opposition to a state commission, where members are appointed by the Supreme Court President, stems from a stated lack of trust in the judiciary, particularly President Yitzhak Amit. Justice Minister Yariv Levin has explicitly linked this distrust to the need for the judicial system itself to be investigated. Critics, including the Attorney General and the Israel Democracy Institute, argue that the proposed bill creates a "political committee" susceptible to direct or indirect political influence, potentially allowing a government to investigate itself with handpicked investigators.

Public support for a state commission of inquiry remains high, with polls consistently showing a majority preferring it over a government-appointed body. Families of victims from the October 7th attacks have also been vocal in their demand for a state commission, with some forming their own "Civilian Commission of Inquiry" led by retired Judge Varda Alsheich. The Supreme Court has deferred a ruling on petitions demanding a state commission until after the elections, acknowledging that the composition of the next government will likely influence the decision. Opposition parties have also included the establishment of a state commission in their joint principles for a future government.