Knesset to Vote on Political Inquiry Committee for October 7 Massacre Before Dissolution

With the Knesset set to dissolve on July 17, the plenary is scheduled to vote today on establishing a political inquiry committee to investigate the October 7 massacre and the events leading up to it. This committee would empower the government to conduct its own investigation into the incident. Due to the tight legislative schedule and coalition concerns about completing the law in time, a legislative marathon was initiated as part of a deal between Netanyahu and the ultra-Orthodox parties, allowing the 26th Knesset to discuss the bill without restarting the legislative process.

The bill, initiated by Likud MK Ariel Kallner, was approved for a first reading last month in the Constitution Committee, though opposition members were absent during the vote. The updated version specifies that the State Comptroller will not appoint missing committee members, and the committee can operate with a minimum of three out of six members, effectively allowing it to function without opposition members.

The committee will consist of six Israeli citizens, excluding anyone who held senior positions such as Supreme Court justice, prime minister, minister, senior military officer, or heads of security agencies within 18 years before October 7. At least one member must be qualified to serve as a Supreme Court justice. The committee’s report will be submitted to the Knesset Speaker and the government. Members will be appointed by the Knesset Speaker after consulting coalition and opposition representatives, requiring an 80-member majority for approval. If no agreement is reached, appointments will be made by the Knesset Committee Chair and the opposition leader, each selecting three members under specified conditions of coalition and opposition support.

The law aims to ensure a thorough, independent investigation of the massacre and related war events, acknowledging public disagreement over the appointing authority and seeking a balanced and fair committee composition. The vote today marks a critical step before the Knesset completes its term next week.