State Comptroller's Office Defends Authority After Supreme Court Limits October 7 Inquiry

Following the Israeli Supreme Court ruling that State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman exceeded his authority in investigating the October 7 massacre, the Comptroller's Office CEO, Yishai Vaknin, responded on the Kan Reshet Bet radio program "Kalman Liverman." Vaknin emphasized that the office respects all court decisions but described the ruling as a significant missed opportunity regarding the extensive work done on the October 7 failure. He explained that under Section 2 of the State Comptroller Law, the Comptroller has broad authority to examine any issue deemed necessary, including aspects of proper administration, integrity, efficiency, and economy. Vaknin noted that historically, the Comptroller has investigated major events such as the COVID-19 crisis, the Carmel disaster, Operation Protective Edge, and other wars without challenges to its jurisdiction.

Vaknin asserted that the office acted fully within its mandate and highlighted that after an initial interim injunction, the court allowed the continuation of core audits. He stressed that the Comptroller's office does not claim to replace a state commission of inquiry. According to Vaknin, opposition arose only when the Comptroller sought to impose personal responsibility for failures, which he identified as the main source of controversy and resistance.

The Supreme Court justices, Dafna Barak-Erez, David Mintz, Yael Wilner, Ofer Grosskopf, and Alex Stein, ruled that the Comptroller is barred from handling four specific reports. However, the court permitted continuation of work on four other reports based on existing drafts, noting that those audited had not been given proper opportunity to respond. The State Comptroller's Office responded by stating that since October 7, it has been the sole objective and independent body holding political, military, and civilian officials accountable for failures.

This ruling comes amid broader challenges related to the war, including a crisis in the detention system affecting Shin Bet operations. The Supreme Court is also hearing petitions concerning the Comptroller's investigation, with questions raised about whether war-related matters fall within its jurisdiction.