Israelis Demand Independent Probe Into October 7 Failures

More than 100,000 people gathered across Israel on Saturday evening, under the banner "For Them, For Us," demanding an independent state commission of inquiry into the failures that preceded the October 7 Hamas attacks. The demonstrations occurred nationwide ahead of Tuesday's parliamentary elections.

In Tel Aviv, the rally was organized by the "October Council," a group of relatives of victims of the Hamas massacre. The council advocates for an independent investigation into the events of "Black Sabbath," when approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. Many participants carried Israeli flags and signs reading "We will not forget, we will not forgive!" and "Goodbye, government of failure!"

Speakers included survivors of the massacre and captivity, relatives of abductees, reservists, and civilians. Zuli Mor, a cousin of victims whose parents were among the first killed in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, recounted an emotional encounter with an IDF officer who expressed deep responsibility for the army's delayed response. Mor contrasted this with the perceived lack of accountability from political leaders.

Viki Cohen, mother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, blamed the government for financing Hamas and its tunnels, stating that warnings were ignored. She asserted that the current government had avoided responsibility for three years and was actively preventing the establishment of a state commission, unlike security officials who had already resigned. Mali Zander, whose daughter Noa was killed at the Nova music festival, urged public participation in the upcoming elections, emphasizing the need for a thorough reckoning with the past and for leadership to take responsibility.

Eyal Eshel, father of slain IDF scout Roni Eshel, criticized the government's plan to form a commission, arguing that those responsible for the failures should not be involved in selecting investigators. Eshel co-founded a civilian commission that gathered hundreds of testimonies, presenting a picture of "failure and arrogance." He stated, "Without truth, there is no accountability. And without accountability, there is no redress." Danielle Aloni, a former Hamas hostage, urged Israelis to vote for change.

The families are calling for the independent commission to be established immediately after the elections on October 27. Meanwhile, Yair Golan, leader of the left-wing party The Democrats, held a separate rally, expressing confidence in entering the government and working to establish the commission, alongside other policy goals. Leaders from other opposition parties, including Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, Avigdor Lieberman, and Gadi Eisenkot, also attended the October Council rally. Eshel concluded by appealing for the nation to overcome its divisions by confronting the truth.