Israeli Ministers' Activities on October 7th Under Scrutiny

An investigation by the "Shomrim" investigative unit, as reported by Ynet, has examined the schedules of Israeli ministers on October 7, 2023, the day of the Hamas attack, to understand their actions during the initial hours of the crisis. While much is known about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's activities, the whereabouts and actions of other ministers, particularly those responsible for energy, communications, and health, remain less clear.

The "Shomrim" journalists analyzed ministerial calendars obtained through freedom of information requests, largely facilitated by the "Hatzlaha - For a Just Society" organization. The investigation revealed that many ministers struggled to understand how to act in the emergency situation during the first hours of the attack. Some were out of contact for extended periods, while others focused on personal matters or political consultations. Three ministers reportedly wished to join the front lines but were unable to.

Out of 32 ministers serving on October 7, only 12 responded to "Shomrim's" inquiries, with most providing incomplete explanations. Twenty ministers chose not to respond. The journalists categorized the ministers based on their response speed, noting that the government convened at 6:00 PM, while the security cabinet met earlier and later that day.

Schedules for ministers including Israel Katz (Energy), Shlomo Karhi (Communications), May Golan, Ofir Sofer, David Amsalem, and Yitzhak Wasserlauf showed no entries before the 6:00 PM government meeting. Only two provided detailed explanations for their actions before that time. Israel Katz's calendar, which was only released after a legal challenge, listed only cabinet and government meetings. Shlomo Karhi stated he was in a safe room, on the phone, and receiving information, later traveling to the government meeting amidst casualties, which he said made him grasp the scale of the event. However, "Shomrim" noted Karhi's own schedule showed little notable activity in the initial hours.

Ministers Yitzhak Wasserlauf's calendar also only showed the 6:00 PM meeting, leaving his activities during the attack on the western Negev and the threat from Hezbollah unclear. Other ministers, including Avi Dichter, Gila Gamliel, Idit Silman, Amichai Chikli, and Yitzhak Goldknopf, provided calendars with gaps. Amihai Eliyahu, Haim Katz, and Orit Struk submitted no schedules at all, their calendars remaining entirely blank for October 7.

The report also references criticism of the government's actions before and after October 7 by retired Major General Nitzan Alon, who previously headed the hostage and missing persons task force. The article highlights that civilian organizations, particularly "Brothers in Arms," filled the management vacuum left by ministries in the initial days following the attack.