Israeli Knesset Approves First Reading of Political Inquiry Committee Bill on October 7 Attacks

The Israeli Knesset approved in a first reading on Monday a bill to establish a political inquiry committee to investigate the events of October 7, aiming to create an alternative to a state-appointed commission. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with Likud members Yuli Edelstein and Dan Illouz, abstained from the vote. The opposition boycotted the vote entirely.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the move, stating, "We will not be part of a false narrative designed to cover up and prevent investigation of the greatest disaster to befall the Jewish people since the Holocaust. In the first month of the next government, we will establish a state commission of inquiry into the massacre." Prior to the vote, a statement from the "October Council" accused the coalition of attempting to evade responsibility for the massacre, describing the bill as a political maneuver to bury the truth about the horrific attacks in which many were raped, kidnapped, burned, murdered, and slaughtered.

The statement also called out coalition leaders Moshe Gafni, Aryeh Deri, and Simcha Goldknopf for "trading in the blood of our children for money," asserting that this was neither Jewish nor aligned with Jewish values. They vowed relentless pursuit of the truth about the tragedy.

Separately, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled against an audit of the October 7 events by the State Comptroller, stating it exceeded his authority. Meanwhile, political analyst Eli Sharabi declared he would not meet with Netanyahu, expressing skepticism about positive outcomes from such a meeting.