Netanyahu Resists State Inquiry into October 7th Failures, Citing Need for Public Trust
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently resisted the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the October 7th failures, advocating for investigations to occur after the war and for the government to decide the mechanism. While other security and political leaders support a state commission, Netanyahu has proposed alternative structures, including a 50/50 coalition-opposition committee, and has expressed concerns about predetermined conclusions. Despite passing a first reading in the Knesset, a bill for a state-national inquiry committee has not been finalized, leaving the question of accountability unresolved as elections approach.
The story in 7 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not supported the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the October 7th failures.
- Other senior security officials, including the Chief of Staff, have backed a state commission of inquiry.
- Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that investigations should occur after the war concludes.
- He has proposed alternative committee structures, including a 50/50 coalition-opposition model.
- A bill for a state-national inquiry committee passed a first reading in the Knesset but is not finalized.
- The question of accountability and the nature of the investigation remains a key issue.
- Previous governments have established state commissions of inquiry shortly after major events.
Former military secretary to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Avi Gil, stated in a recent interview that he would have preferred to provide answers regarding the October 7th failures to a state commission of inquiry rather than a filmed conversation with journalists. However, nearly three years after the war began and a year after the release of living hostages, no such commission has been established. In fact, no dedicated commission has been formed to investigate the events of the October 7th massacre.
Netanyahu is reportedly the only figure among the political-security leadership on October 7th, 2023, who does not support a state commission of inquiry. In contrast, the Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, head of Military Intelligence Aharon Haliva, Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have all expressed support for such a commission and no other. Early in the war, there was broad consensus, including among Likud ministers and Knesset members, for a state commission. As time passed and the perceived distance from the failure grew, alternative proposals emerged, such as a government review committee, a bipartite inquiry committee, or a national inquiry committee.
President Isaac Herzog proposed a compromise where a state commission would be established in cooperation with Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit and Justice Noam Sohlberg, but Netanyahu refused. The government has also argued to the High Court of Justice (Bagatz) that it lacks the authority to order the government to establish such a commission. Netanyahu has consistently stated that investigations should occur after the war, not during it, to avoid distracting military personnel. He has also emphasized that the government, not subordinate bodies, will decide on the investigation mechanism.
Netanyahu has expressed a desire for an "objective, balanced, and independent" inquiry committee, but one whose conclusions are not predetermined. He has suggested models like the 9/11 commission in the US, where Republicans and Democrats collaborated, advocating for a committee that represents all segments of the people. He has pledged to be the first to appear and answer questions. In November 2025, he stated, "The crucial question is not just what is being investigated, the crucial question is who is investigating the truth." He has also proposed a committee composed of 50% coalition and 50% opposition members, calling it a "people's committee."
Despite these statements, no commission has been formed. A bill for a state-national inquiry committee passed a first reading in the Knesset but has not completed the legislative process. The article notes that a new government, if elected, might prioritize establishing a state commission, citing precedents like the Meron disaster and submarine affair investigations, which were initiated by previous governments shortly after the events occurred.
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