Bereaved Families Demand National Inquiry Commission Three Years Into War

Dozens of bereaved families from the Din v'Tzedek and Gefura forums gathered at the Gefura tent in Jerusalem, demanding the establishment of a national inquiry commission three years after the outbreak of the Swords of Iron War. The families, who lost loved ones in the October 7th massacre and during the subsequent war, seek an investigation into the events preceding the war, the intelligence failure that led to the massacre, and the conduct of all systems during the conflict. They emphasized that the commission must operate impartially to gain the trust of all segments of society. The families also urged the public to focus on the heroism of the fallen and promote unity during these difficult times.

Itzik Pitosi, father of fallen soldier Yishai Pitosi and acting chairman of the Gefura Forum, stated that while marking three years since the war's start, they acknowledge the incredible bravery of soldiers who fought like lions. He contrasted this heroism with the "depth of the failure, the intelligence blindness, the operational lapse, the complacency, the arrogance, and the flawed worldviews that led to the harsh results." Pitosi called on the Prime Minister to establish a national inquiry commission with broad powers to investigate all military, security, political, and legal systems, recommending punishment and prosecution. He stressed the need for an equitable and national commission with true representation from all parts of society, not one appointed by those who have lost public trust. He also urged Israelis to unite and avoid exploiting the mourning period for political division.

Orly Cohen, mother of fallen soldier Amit Cohen, who was murdered in a shelter in Re'im and is a member of the Din v'Tzedek forum, added that the families of those killed on October 7th demand truth and justice. She stated that the truth, written in blood, cannot be buried. Cohen expressed distrust in a "state commission" composed of Supreme Court justices who are at the center of social disputes and have lost broad public trust. She argued that the court's role in supporting their enemies for years must also be investigated. The forum proposed a national inquiry commission modeled after the 9/11 commission in the US, composed equitably and responsibly. They criticized public officials who they claim are cynically exploiting the issue by intending to form a "state commission" of Supreme Court justices, thereby excluding hundreds of families who do not trust such a body. Cohen declared that the upcoming elections are a referendum on the inquiry commission and urged voters to support only candidates who commit to establishing an equitable national commission immediately after the elections.